Shoulder cloth (selendang)
Approx. 1800–1900
Indonesia; Lampung province, Sumatra
Silk, cotton, metal-wrapped threads, and dyes
Gift of M. Glenn Vinson and Claire Vinson, 2021.62
This textile has a palette of ecru and natural dyes in indigo, reds, and yellow. The weaver of this piece was particularly skilled at presenting subtle distinctions in hue, with pinks darkening weft by weft into a rich red. The warp of the cloth, also dyed red, deepens the tones, and highlights the contrast with indigo. Although visibly worn, traces of metallic supplementary threads remain. This textile was likely a woman’s shoulder cloth. Textiles of this quality have not been made for over a hundred years, and the scholarship about them is scarce.
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