a Tu Jia blanket from Hunan province, China. Cotton foundation with cotton supplementary weft design in two loom-width panels. Original indigo blue border. Central part measures 75cm x 110cm, overall dimension 122cm x 157cm. First half of the 20th Century (or earlier). This kind of blanket (with its rather formal wanzi border resembling a carpet design) is characteristic of this minority group. It would originally have been used with a thick cotton padding underneath which would be replaced periodically. Items like this formed part of wedding dowries and tended to be preserved carefully in good condition for several generations. The overall color is ivory white, but with some areas in pale indigo blue and pale pink. The colors on the reverse side are similar with only slight fading on the front.