Collection
Baby Carriers
From the moment life has been planted in the mother’s womb, mother and child are connected by this cord; the most unconditional love between heaven and earth is passed on generously to the child through this cord. The umbilical cord – this – is the tie between mother and child.
Children’s Hats
The popular motifs and symbols sewn onto traditional children’s hats in China are expressions of a mother’s hope and tender love for her child. Many of the patterns and motifs used come from popular folklore, legends, and religious beliefs.
Bibs
From the moment a child is born, the mother will express her love for this child through all the seemingly mundane everyday objects that the child needs and uses. The bib is often the very first piece of accessory the baby uses.
Children’s Clothes
Generally speaking, antique children's clothes are not easy to buy or collect, mainly because children are active, and their clothes are usually quite soiled and worn out.However, it is possible to collect baby clothes in perfect condition.
Children’s Shoes
In the old days of China, when a baby was born, the mother or grandmother sewed the necessary clothes by herself, including shoes. Even though newborn babies can't walk, it was important for the child to be clothed from “head to toe.”
Purses
The term, he bao (“lotus parcel”), which describeds the decorative purses adorning official robes, does not appear until the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1643). By the Qing Dynasty (AD 1644-1911), purses embroidered with auspicious motifs had become a popular gift item, not only for high officers, but also among the commoners.
Hope, that you can wear.
“Hope, that you can wear” is a bilingual touch-and-feel picture book, written in celebration of les enphants’ 50th anniversary. It is inspired by century-old children’s textiles from Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia and explains techniques and symbols, and is also filled with hands-on tactile experiences.
Exhibitions
Fertility and Blessing
"Fertility, Blessings and Protection - Cultures of Baby Carriers" is a special exhibition, jointly planned by the National Museum of Prehistory, Fu Jen Catholic University and the private enterprise, les enphants Co. Ltd.,and the NGOB ig Ball Earth Care and Humanist Association of Taiwan. Planning started in 2011and the exhibition was held in August 2014.
Contact / Collaborate
Would you like to book an appointment to visit the collection?
Do you have an idea for a collaboration?
Are you interested in textile stories?
We would love to hear from you! Please get in touch!
