This long banner has complex weave designs woven with indigo, green, orange, yellow and white silk. The designs comprise bands of motifs that include hooks and lozenges, and small animals that are thought to include civet cats. Tall hangings or 'Tung' such as this are hung outside the temples in the Tai areas of northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. They are a unique sight and typical of Tai people’s dwellings. The weaving of these textiles declined during the 60s and 70s, but there has been a revival of the tradition. The mix of Buddhist and animistic motifs show the interesting adaptation of Buddhism amongst the upland people such as the Tai.
