Hangzhou Gauze of 1868

Originated in Hangzhou as its name indicates, the Hangzhou Gauze is a thin, transparent loose weave made purely of silk with clear holes and a soft and smooth feel. Thanks to its attributes of good air permeability and durableness, it has been a perfect garment fabric for people living in humid and sultry areas vulnerable to mosquitos and other insects. The Hangzhou Gauze therefore had served as an important material for the underwear-making of the royal families in ancient China.
Listed in the World-level Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO in 2009, the Hangzhou Gauze can be categorized into plain gauze and patterned gauze based on whether the fabric has floral patterns or not. This piece of black Hangzhou Gauze woven in 1868 by a handloom falls into the category of plain gauze.