2-734-309 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Loin Cloth "Pha nung" or Cloth for Wrapped Garment, late 1800s - early 1900s. Indian craftsmen developed great skill in resist dyeing using both mordants (chemicals that fix dyes) and wax (or some other resist). When mordants were selectivley drawn, painted, or printed onto cotton, only those portions of the fabric would accept the dye. In this textile, this technique has been combined with wax resist batik which prevented dyes from penetrating treated portions of the fabric. Indian textiles made for export were patterned with designs and colours that suited the tastes of the markets for which they were produced. This cloth was made for export to Thailand where lattice designs were preferred. While this particular textile would have been used as a wrapped garment, Indian textiles in Thailand served also as room dividers, coverings for floors, and hangings.