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An image of Heirloom textile (ma'a) with a scene from the 'Ramayana' by An image of Heirloom textile (ma'a) with a scene from the 'Ramayana' by An image of Heirloom textile (ma'a) with a scene from the 'Ramayana' by

Unknown Artist

Title
Heirloom textile (ma'a) with a scene from the 'Ramayana'
Place of origin
Coromandel Coast → India
Cultural origin
trade cloth made for the Indonesian market
Year
18th century-19th century
Media category
Textile
Materials used
handspun cotton with natural dyes and mordant
Dimensions

93.0 x 462.0cm

Signature & date
Not signed. Not dated.
Credit
Gift of Dr John Yu 1998
Accession number
122.1998
Location
Not on display
Further information

Many large cloths depicting the major battle from the Indian epic, the Ramayana, when Prince Rama defeats the demon king Ravana and his army from the realm of Lanka, survive from Indonesia, in particular from Sulawesi and Bali, although none are known from India. Most of these cloths follow the same composition as seen here: Rama and the multi-headed, multi-armed Ravana take centre stage. Behind Rama, preparing his bow, is his lifelong companion Laksmana and the monkey king, Hanuman, with his army of monkeys. Ravana is supported by ogres and small demons. The battle is in full swing, arrows flying everywhere, heads being cut off, figures wrestling, mutilated bodies and severed limbs littering the ground. The style of drawing and clothes indicate south Indian temple hangings as the source of inspiration. In Indonesia the survival of such cloths can be credited to the veneration accorded them: they are considered as sacred heirloom cloths, carefully stored in a clan's loft and only brought out for special ceremonies.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2006

Bibliography (3)

'Benefaction' pp. 16-17., Look May 2002, May 2002, 16-17 (colour illus.).

'New Dimensions', by Jackie Menzies, pg. 54-63., Arts of Asia Nov 2003-Dec 2003, Nov 2003-Dec 2003, 56-57 (colour illus.). no.5

The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 2003, 340-341 (colour illus.). The colour illus. on page 341 is a detail of this work.

Exhibition history (1)

Symbols and Ceremonies: Indonesian Textile Traditions, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 13 Apr 2006–28 May 2006.