This wall hanging is based on the same pattern as our Stained Glass series. The wall hanging's pattern is actually based on an old Tai Daeng (Red Tai) Sam Neua sinh design. Matttiebelle Gittinger writes in Through The Thread of Time: Southeast Asian Textiles, "One of the most complex skirts of the Tai Daeng [as seen in the pattern in this wall hanging] utilizes the common supplementary warp stripes to frame broad rows of alternating blocks of weft ikat patterns worked on dark blue and supplementary weft patterns. In the later, the masterful use of varied colors creates a lively complex visual experience." Need we say more? This wall hanging is a showcase for the best in Lao weaving and we think you'll agree that Taykeo excels in achieving a "lively complex visual experience" with the design in this wall hanging. And remember, all the silk is natural dyed!
The ikat designs represent ancestor figures and dragons, which are "placed perfectly in the framed spaces, like windows." (Cheesman) This design is commonly used by shamanic healers, especially by the Tai Daeng.
This wall hanging is impressive and can be admired both from a distance and close up. We think a textile like this would look stunning displayed on a wall at an angle parallel to diagonal staircase so as one goes up or down the stairs their eyes can feast on all the exquisite details in the textile.
