Textiles

Hand-sewn and machine-made rugs, coverings, flags, and garments exhibit a stunning variety of embroidery, dyeing, and weaving techniques.

Highlights

Cigar Silk Dress

1880s U.S.A.

The owner of this outfit was most likely its maker, and there is evidence of wear, indicating she wore her fabulous creation.

Boro Farmer’s Coat

early 20th century Japan

Considered a literal visual record of Japanese folk textile traditions, today boro is being revived due in part to a rejection of the throwaway culture of fast fashion and an appreciation for a sustainable aesthetic.

Embroidered in red and blue thread and quilted overall with an off-center medallion. The outer borders feature scrolling designs and stylized cypress trees. The inner area contains geometric motifs, human and animal figures, as well as swastikas.

Kantha

late 19th or early 20th century India, West Bengal or Bangladesh

Kantha quilts are often a token of love from a mother or grandmother on the occasion of a family member’s marriage or as a gift for a new-born child.

Thousands of strips of silk and velvet fabric were individually hand-tied to a knitted cotton base to create this rag rug. Two sides, opposite each other are orange and black striped and the center is a multitude of colors.

Shaker Rag Rug

c. 1930s U.S.A.

Created within a Shaker community, rag rugs, also known as “confetti rugs,” were used in home interiors.

This is a thickly piled rug that consists of red, yellow and orange geometric designs down the center. The outer left and right sides are indigo.

"Antsa" Rug

c. 1960 Helsinki, Finland

This thickly piled rug or rya was designed by Ritva Puotila.

Depicted on this textile is a male figure seated on a king’s stool holding a large fan. There are also two large birds on either side of him which may represent members of the company. This flag also contains a large Union Jack and a graphic black and white border composed of alternating squares and triangles.

Asafo Flag (frankaa)

1900-1950 Ghana

Graphic folk imagery and appliquéd designs illustrate Akan proverbs in which messages to opponents are displayed, customs are remembered and oral traditions are preserved.