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

Title

man's textile

20th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Roti → Indonesia
    Date
    20th century
    Media category
    Textile
    Materials used
    handspun cotton, natural dyes; warp 'ikat'
    Dimensions
    155.0 x 68.5 cm
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Bequest of Alex Biancardi 2000
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    278.2000
    Copyright
    © Copyright reserved

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  • About

    The people of Roti were among the first in the Indonesian archipelago to trade exclusively with the Dutch East India Company. The silk 'patola' cloth from India was one of the items traded, although this highly sought after cloth was only awarded to the highest of rulers or regents. When the Company went bankrupt in 1800 and 'patola' cloth became rare, the nobility adopted 'patola' motifs for their own 'ikat' cloth. This Rotinese 'ikat' textile is one such example of the influence of the Indian 'patola' on Southeast Asian textile traditions.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, August 2000

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 2 publications