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Title

Men's headcloth ('ikat kepala'; 'tengkuluk')

20th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Palembang → Sumatra → Indonesia
    Cultural origin
    Malay people
    Date
    20th century
    Media category
    Textile
    Materials used
    silk, gold metallic thread, natural dyes; weft 'ikat', supplementary weft weave
    Dimensions
    88.8 x 87.6 cm
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Bequest of Alex Biancardi 2000
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    255.2000
    Copyright
    © Copyright reserved

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  • About

    Headcloths were worn by men throughout coastal Sumatra. This beautiful example of a Palembang headcloth combines a weft ikat ('limar') with a supplementary weft woven in gold thread ('songket'). The central field design is based on a patola pattern - a variation on the eight-petalled lotus design in shades of blue, green, purple, off white and red. This headcloth is indicative of the 'refinement' of dress, social and ritual pursuits, under the influence of Islam.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, August 2000

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 1 exhibition

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 3 publications