LAMPUNG, SOUTH SUMATRA
224
CEREMONIAL TEXTILE, 'SHIP CLOTH' (TAMPAN)
LAMPUNG, SOUTH SUMATRA
cotton with supplementary weft patterning. Reddish-brown on natural colour cotton base and a blue border. The cloth depicts two ships, human figures, animals and trees
69.0 x 71.0 cm
Estimate:
$1,000 - 2,000
Catalogue text
This textile from the Lampung region of South Sumatra was made during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Such cloths are referred to as 'ship cloths' because of the obvious ship motif which symbolises the transition from one stage of life to another. The textiles were used in a range of transition rites, as part of ritual gift exchange, as ceremonial seats for the bride and groom and as pillows for the deceased.