We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Ceremonial hanging (palepai)

late 19th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Other Title
    Palepai (ceremonial hanging) with design of human figures holding flags and birds
    Place where the work was made
    Semangka Bay area? → Lampung → Sumatra → Indonesia
    Date
    late 19th century
    Media category
    Textile
    Materials used
    cotton, natural dyes; supplementary weft weaving
    Dimensions
    82.0 x 257.0 cm
    Credit
    D G Wilson Bequest Fund 2003
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    117.2003
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    This palepai is decorated with a repeated motif of human figures holding flags and birds. Narrow stripes of ochre yellow frame the brown and indigo blue of the main design. The pattern is not as common as the ship motif. This textile is protected by the addition of red and blue pieces of fabric around the edges. Palepai were symbols of hereditary leadership and were passed down within families to the eldest sons of local leaders. The Semangka area follows Saibatin traditions characterised, in part, by hereditary chieftanships.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2011.

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 1 exhibition