Title
Heirloom textile (ma'a) with a scene from the 'Ramayana'
18th century-19th century
Artists
Unknown Artist
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Details
- Place where the work was made
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Coromandel Coast
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India
- Cultural origin
- trade cloth made for the Indonesian market
- Date
- 18th century-19th century
- Media category
- Textile
- Materials used
- natural dyes painted on cotton
- Dimensions
- 93.0 x 462.0 cm
- Signature & date
Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of Dr John Yu 1998
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 122.1998
- Copyright
- Share
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About
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. The Toraja people of Central Sulawesi kept such textiles stored in ceramic jars as sacred heirloom pieces that they termed "ma'a".
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.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2006
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Exhibition history
Shown in 1 exhibition
Symbols and Ceremonies: Indonesian Textile Traditions, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 13 Apr 2006–28 May 2006
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Bibliography
Referenced in 3 publications
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Jackie Menzies, Arts of Asia, 'New Dimensions', pg. 54-63, Hong Kong, Nov 2003-Dec 2003, 56-57 (colour illus.). no.5
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Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2003, 340-341 (colour illus.). The colour illus. on page 341 is a detail of this work.
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Jill Sykes (Editor), Look, 'Benefaction', pp. 16-17, Sydney, May 2002, 16-17 (colour illus.).
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