Steven
Thanks for your suggestion. I couldn't think of any applique Bouyei textiles that I had seen but then I remembered visiting two Qing Miao villages in 2001 in Huishi and Luodian counties, Guizhou where the Miao have been very influenced by the Bouyei and I really felt, especially in the second, that I was in a Bouyei rather than Miao village. Both villages use applique and create it in squares. However, I am not sure that the couching is exactly the same as in the bedcover that I posted. I am going to post some photos showing old skirts, and old baby's bib and current girls' apron tops. These are all from La Lai village, Limu township, Luodian county. This is a super village to visit - lovely people and a very picturesque setting as well as very interesting coffins wedged into the cliff-overhang.
I have had a couple of comments from members via email - neither of whom have any positive ID but both have seen something similar on Marla Mallett's site including a current (more complicated) version
http://www.marlamallett.com/e-4047.htm which Marla attributes to the Miao from Huang Ping.
I gather that there are several of these coverlets around in various forms of complexity. It has been said that the coverlet that I have posted does not really look like a minority piece and, in a way, that is my sense also.
Thanks for all the contributions - any others, especially a positive ID very welcome!
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Pamela
http://www.tribaltextiles.infoon-line tribal textiles resource