Ceremonial Cloth (Selimut)

Early 20th century

Not on view

This fine ceremonial cloth (selimut) is in excellent condition. A central band that runs the length of the cloth features important iconography relating to an enlarged human figure (often identified as a founding ancestor) and elaborate skull trees distinguished in this example by their anthropomorphic features so that they appear to mirror the human figure next to them, and a pair of birds which face each other at the top of each tree. The light color of these alternating designs contrast dramatically with the dark band of background color, and strips of a more intense red and orange, offset with narrow strips of dark blue, create latitudinal bands on either side of the broader central panel. These feature symmetrical sets of aquatic fowl whose elegant necks and beaks are offset by raised tails and these are repeated in various configurations along a single line which runs along the length of each side of the panel.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Ceremonial Cloth (Selimut)
Date: Early 20th century
Geography: Indonesia
Culture: Sumba
Medium: Cotton
Dimensions: H. 8 ft. 7 5/8 in. × W. 29 1/2 in. (263.2 × 74.9 cm)
Classification: Textiles
Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Joel Confino and Lisa Alter, 2016
Object Number: 2016.736.2
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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