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

Title

Waistcloth; shouldercloth

20th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Alternative title
    kain limar
    Place where the work was made
    Palembang → Sumatra → Indonesia
    Cultural origin
    Malay people
    Date
    20th century
    Media category
    Textile
    Materials used
    silk, natural dyes; weft 'ikat'
    Dimensions
    106.0 x 244.8 cm
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Bequest of Alex Biancardi 2000
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    241.2000
    Copyright
    © Copyright reserved

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    This beautifully patterned silk weft ikat is intricately dyed in red, blue, yellow and green to create a pattern of eight-petalled lotuses surrounded by curling foliage and smaller flower motifs. The ends of this cloth are bordered by fluid triangular designs, described as a bamboo shoot motif, bordered by smaller eight-petalled flowers derived from the exotic mangosteen fruit. The central field design of this cloth reflects the influence of Indian 'patola' textile patterns where the eight-petalled flower motif is a metaphor for the cosmos.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, August 2000

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 3 publications