Ceremonial headwrapper

This textile from the Minangkabau peoples of Western Sumatra, Indonesia, dating from the 19th century, is in excellent condition. Finely executed in silk with metal-wrapped silk threads, this remarkable cloth would have been reserved by a woman for special use during formal occasions as a salendang (shoulder cloth) or ceremonial head wrapper. The elegant designs of this example incorporate the classic iconography of the region with neatly placed rows of geometric motifs positioned in blocks and horizontal bars to create an ordered and balanced design in delicate silvery hues. Women took great pride in their highly prized silk salendang, which were shot through with metal threads, their edges trimmed with special borders. A sub-genre of salendang known as tuo rarak were used to carry rice which was used to throw at weddings. The rice is colored with turmeric, which is used as a permanent yellow dye as well as a seasoning.