Cleveland Museum of Art

Wearing Cloth

Date

1900–1950

Medium

tabby weave; silk brocaded with silk and metallic threads

Culture

Indonesia, Sumatra, Palembang, 1st half 20th century

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The small pattern of rosettes in the main field, the selvage borders, and the tumpal (triangle) border are characteristic of the gold, silver, and red silk cloths woven in the Palembang region. Sumptuous silks of this type were only made in the eastern coastal cities of Sumatra that maintained active trade with China and India. Not only were the silk, gold, and silver threads imported, but the elements of the design were derived from Indian patola (warp and weft ikat) silks. Traditionally, cloths like this were worn for ceremonial occasions and were also used in the exchange of gifts required on the occasion of a wedding.

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