HMONG STORY CLOTH THE MONKEYS FUNERAL

Updated August 18, 2026

Lot number12
Auction15 MINUTE HOT SHOT SUPER QUICK ONLINE AUCTION
DateAugust 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM EDT
Auction houseJunk in Your Trunk Auctions & Tag Sales, LLC
LocationConover, North Carolina

17" x 13” APPROXIMATELY IS THE SIZE This is a hand-embroidered Hmong "story cloth” (paj ntaub), probably made in Laos, Thailand, or by a refugee Hmong community around the 1970s–1990s. It depicts the traditional Hmong folktale “The Monkey’s Funeral.” An orphan pretends to be dead after monkeys destroy his crops. The monkeys hold a funeral and bring silver, gold, food, and ceremonial objects. The orphan suddenly awakens, frightening them away, and keeps their valuables. Your stitched English caption describes that scene. A comparable example is documented by California State University, Sacramento??. Estimated value: * Local auction: $40–$80 * Online retail: $90–$175 * Possibly $200+ if large, clean, older, and professionally framed The unusual folktale subject and extensive hand embroidery make it better than the common village-scene examples. The faded writing, basic frame, and unknown artist limit the value. I would start it online at $49.99 or estimate $50–$100 at auction.

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