Blouse with long sleeves

19th century

The fabric of a piña cloth is made from leaves of a pineapple plant. Extracting the thin gossamer fibers of leaves and weaving with them is a painstaking and laborious process. Because of its tedious labor production, piña fabric was reserved for a wealthier clientele.

This delicate camisa (blouse) contains a complex embroidery design with delicate floral patterns and precise cut-work. Foliate and geometric motifs were commonly found across piña fabric.

Piña (pineapple fiber) cloth with embroidery

20 in. (50.8 cm)

L.: 15 in.

Overall w.: 60 in.

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

33.209

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistoryNew York, New York, The Asia Society, Sheer Realities: Clothing and Power in Nineteenth-Century Philippines, June 12, 2000 - Oct. 31, 2000

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view Dec. 10, 2021 - July 24, 2022].

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