Silver and Silk

TEXTILES AND JEWELRY FROM GUIZHOU, CHINA

There is no other place in the entire world quite like Guizhou—a remote, mountainous province in southwest China. Accessible mostly by foothpath until the late 1980′s, it was the last of China’s provinces to open to the West.

Guizhou’s population of more than 30 million people is composed of diverse, exotic cultural groups. At least 13 of China’s 56 nationalities can be found in Guizhou’s several autonomous regions.  Numerous and distinctive clans continue ancient traditions of creating richly embroidered textiles and elaborate silver jewelry, which are frequently worn in their daily lives and especially by unmarried girls at festivals and other formal occasions.

Silver and Silk was presented in cooperation with San Diego Airport Cultural Exhibit Program at the Commuter Terminal, San Diego International Airport.

Collection Source: Mingei International Museum