Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Southeast Asian: Textiles (4)

Depicting delicate motifs in somber, predominantly blue-black combined with discrete touches of rusty red, this textile from the Savu Islands of eastern Indonesia is called a selindang. The shawls are worn by women over their shoulders, to complete their sarong attire. This textile is estimated to date to the late 20th century and is constructed by warp ikat, warp-faced, with fringes. It measures 71 x 191 cm and is in perfect condition. The dye is a natural indigo.

Measuring 10" x 15 1/4", this textile was made by Hmong women living in Laos. Machine embroidery, reverse applique combined with some tightlyworked hand embroidery for accents. The spirals symbolize longevity. Condition is excellent and its estimated age is mid to late 20th century. The cushion is backed with a supple dark magenta pig suede and features an invisible side zipper for ease of dry cleaning. The pillow insert is 100% polyester fiber.

This is a hinggi from east Sumba, probably dated to the mid to late 20th century. The weave technique is warp ikat, plain woven and hand spun cotton. It measures 132.08 x 274.32 cm and is in immaculate condition. Ikat is a resist-dye method of patterning textiles. Prior to weaving, the maker ties the warp and/or weft threads tightly and immerses them in a dye bath. The tied sections resist the dye. When applied to several sections of threads in a sequence of dye baths, the method creates unique, vibrant and colorful patterns. This textile showcases the horse, which plays a huge role in the life of Sumbanese. Horses are their wealth and centuries ago the Sumbanese were trading their horses to the Chinese for ceramics (see The World of Indonesian Textiles by W. Warming and M. Gaworski, copyright 1981 Kodansha Int'l). The hinggi completes the attire of the Sumbanese horseman by functioning as a wrapper around his waist, which is held up by a wide leather belt, letting the fringed ends dangle between his legs. The textile is dyed with the traditional indigo blue from the young leaves of the indigo plant (indigofera tinctoria) and the prized kombu red from the roots of the mengkudu tree (morinda citrifolia). Both ends are fringed, though one end band at the top is turned over the rod in the catalog photo.

A vintage Hmong textile from Laos, carefully crafted into a cushion cover backed with soft black pig suede. The cushion measures 11 1/4" x 15 1/2" with a 100% polyester insert. The textile itself consists of machine embroidery and reverse applique with some intricately worked hand embroidery as accents. The spirals symbolize longevity. Estimated age mid to late 20th century. Condition is overall great with some very minor fraying.