Ceremonial Banner (palepai)
This is a finely executed ceremonial banner (palepai) from Abung in the Lampung region of southern Sumatra, Indonesia. Woven with cotton and metallic wrapped yarns in the supplementary weft technique this is an important example of the genre deploying stylistic devices and bold colors to achieve a level of intricacy that is rarely matched. Palepai were restricted to the nobility. Their specific dimensions allowed them to be hung like tapestries on the walls of noble houses for important occasions where they served as long rectangular banners honoring the aristocratic status and wealth of the family. This important example has a balanced composition of two vessels, each replete with canopy and decorative awnings and upright posts for banners and pennants to announce the passage and arrival of the vessel during its transit and on its arrival at destination. The two vessels are separated by an upright post comprised of the scrolling designs that flourish at each end of the prow and stern and give a sense of dynamic movement. Large and small ancestral figures populate teach vessel and the stylistic device that separates the two halves of the banner. The level of detail and fine execution makes this piece a remarkable one.
Artwork Details
- Title: Ceremonial Banner (palepai)
- Date: 19th century
- Geography: Indonesia, Semangka Bay
- Culture: Lampung people
- Medium: Cotton, metallic wrapped yarns, supplementary weft
- Dimensions: W. 22 3/4 in. × L. 8 ft. 8 1/2 in. (57.8 × 265.4 cm)
- Classification: Textiles
- Credit Line: Gift of Lisa Alter and Joel Confino, 2021
- Object Number: 2021.438.3
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Lampung people
19th century
Lampung people
Probably 19th century
Indonesian
19th century
Kauer people
late 19th century
Lampung people
19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.