Ceremonial textile (tampan)

Indonesia’s long history of maritime trade and the immense wealth that it brought are embodied in the remarkable textiles of the Lampung region of southern Sumatra. Lampung is situated on the western side of the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Suatra and has been a vital trade route since ancient times. The region is known for its black pepper, which historically was highly valued in the spice trade and is still produced there today. The cosmopolitan influences resulting from Lampung’s strategic location are evident in its ritual textiles. The two most abundant types are tampan and palepai which incorporate imagery that predominantly depicts stylized ships, outside Indonesia, these are often referred to collectively as ‘ship’s cloths’.

This finely executed tampan features bold and highly graphic designs in rich red and gold colors against a natural background. The color ways and formal clarity give a strong sense of order, hierarchical rank and status. A large vessel with two decks dominates the panel with a pair of fantastical creatures, mounted by riders, on the lower deck and a gamelan orchestra under a decorated canopy or awning on the upper deck with three large posts with banners. Upright figures stand like sentinel at each extremity of the vessel, one at the front of the vessel guiding its transit through the water. Lively, highly animated designs in the lower section feature a large shoal of fish swimming against the tide, surrounded by smaller boats with figures, all executed in intricate detail.