a sinh (traditional tubular skirt) hand woven in cotton and silk; the material is fairly soft. Bought in Phonsavan, Laos, it was acquired with other pieces that were clearly used, but this one is in mint condition, so i have no idea of the age. The skirt has the classic design: the main body (phuan sinh)has alternating panels of ikat and brocading, while the bottom border (tin sinh) is elaborately brocaded in a contrasting colour. The motifs which appear to be geometric are in fact highly stylized good luck symbols: bird,butterfly, crab, etc. The proportions are fairly standard. The waistband of coarse cream cotton was not meant to be seen. hua sinh - waistband, head of the sinh - 12cm/4.5" phuen sinh - body of the sinh - 60cm/23.5" tin sinh - foot of the sinh - 27cm/10.5"