Blouse Embellished with Seeds

This blouse embellished with seeds is from Burma and was made in the 19th century. It is a cotton shirt decorated with silk embroidery and bamboo seeds.

This blouse was likely made by a Sgaw artist. The Sgaw are a subgroup of the Karen and live in Burma and Thailand. The design is of horizontal stripes, some plain indigo, some covered with embroidery and appliqued long bamboo seeds. The stripes of red cotton are extended into loose ribbons used to tighten the tunic when worn.