國立故宮博物院 National Palace Museum

Stunning Craftsmanship in Costumes and Accessories

The techniques involved in making the ethnic costumes and accessories of Guizhou 貴州 are numerous and complex. From applying a single technique to mixing several, many diverse patterns can be created, and the results are lustrous and impressive. Be it batik dyeing, fabric embroidery, needle weaving, or silver forging, each ethnic group has developed its own unique specialty. The fineness of embroideries, the exquisiteness of batik textiles, the preciseness of needlework, and the sumptuousness of silver ornaments are all breathtakingly spectacular, attesting to the ingenuity and aesthetic tastes of the various nationalities. While the history and culture of an ethnic group differ from those of the others, the patterns on the costumes may reveal the sentiments, stories, and memories that cannot otherwise be conveyed orally or by written words. A walk through the exhibits in this section may be likened to reading the history of the development of the ethnic nationalities’ costumes and accessories from Guizhou.

Miao silver hat with flower-and-bird ornaments

Qing dynasty

Miao silver hat with flower-and-bird ornaments

This silver hat was collected in the 1950s from Lushan 爐山 County. It is worn as a headdress by the young Miao woman forming part of the formal ensemble. This type of silver hat is typical of Miao costumes in the area that encompasses Kaili City, Fuquan 福泉 City, Shibing 施秉 County, and Zhenyuan 鎮遠 County, with Huangping County in the center. With changing times, however, the form of this hat has seen modifications, such as the replacement of the leaf-like ornament on its tip with one that resembles phoenix. The pink pompoms on top of the headdress and the millet-patterned tassels hanging from the beam in the front are no longer in use today.

Guizhou National Culture Palace

Silver neck ring with pattern of dragons chasing pearl, and dangling bells

Qing dynasty

Silver neck ring with pattern of dragons chasing pearl, and dangling bells

Originated in the southeast of Guizhou, this complex silver neck ring with pattern of two dragons chasing a pearl is a chest ornament worn by Miao women of Shidong as part of the formal ensemble. The pattern of two dragons chasing a pearl on the neck ring and that of the butterfly on the dangling silver bells are made with such echniques as chasing and engraving. During production, the metals were hammered to thin sheets, upon which the desired patterns were created with the use of chisels. The tassel-like part below the neck ring is decorated with dangling bells, horns, and millets. The ornaments give the neck ring a beautiful and vivid look.

Guizhou National Culture Palace

Set of garment pieces with Avalokitesvara patterns

Qing dynasty

Set of garment pieces with Avalokitesvara patterns

Originated in Lushan County (now an administrative district of Kaili City, and the county a township), these silver garment pieces are attached to the formal attires of local Miao women. The original set consisted of 56 silver pieces, all decorated with bodhisattva engravings. Silver garment pieces with engravings of bodhisattvas are no longer used as costume accessories these days. Instead, they are nailed to the waist sash by Miao women on the formal ensemble.

Guizhou National Culture Palace

Dong silver hat with floral pattern

Qing dynasty

Dong silver hat with floral pattern

This silver hat made for women comes from a Dong village in Tianzhu天柱 County, and its style was popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties. However, it is drastically different in form from the silver hat worn by today's Beidong 北侗 (Northern Dong) people.

Guizhou National Culture Palace

Silver comb with floral ornaments

Qing dynasty

Silver comb with floral ornaments

Originated in the Qishier Zhai 七十二寨 (Seventy-two Stockade Villages) area of Rongjiang County, this silver comb is attached to the bun by both middle-aged and young women of the Dong 侗 minority group on the back of the head as part of the formal ensemble. The silver casing wraps around a wooden-teeth comb, with millet-shaped pendant chains hanging from the headdress. A pair of needles can be found connected to the end of the chains. On top of the silver comb are three-dimensional ornaments depicting five phoenixes playing with tree branches. This type of silver comb with floral ornaments is a popular headdress among the Miao, Dong, and Shui minorities of Guizhou.

Guizhou National Culture Palace