Patolu with Elephant Design

India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market

Not on view

A patolu is a silk textile with a design produced by a skillful, time-consuming process of pre-dyeing the patterns into both the warp and the weft threads so that the intended composition is revealed only after the two are woven together. This majestic textile depicts a royal parade with two pairs of elephants, each carrying attendants holding fly whisks, drivers, and crowned dignitaries. Standard-bearers, soldiers with lances, and soldiers on horses and camels accompany the procession. Patola played an important role in the Dutch effort to secure trading privileges in the Maluku spice trade, as these precious Indian-made silks were used as prestige gifts for local Indonesian rulers.

cat. no. 42

Patolu with Elephant Design, Silk double-ikat (resist dyed), India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market

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Patolu with Elephant Design, Silk double-ikat (resist dyed), India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market
Patolu with Elephant Design, Silk double-ikat (resist dyed), India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market
Patolu with Elephant Design, Silk double-ikat (resist dyed), India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market
Patolu with Elephant Design, Silk double-ikat (resist dyed), India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market
Patolu with Elephant Design, Silk double-ikat (resist dyed), India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market
Patolu with Elephant Design, Silk double-ikat (resist dyed), India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market
Patolu with Elephant Design, Silk double-ikat (resist dyed), India (Gujarat) for the Indonesian market

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