Title
Carved architectural panel
Creator
Year/Period
19th-early 20th centuries
Region
Koto Gadang, West Sumatra
Technique
Dimension
Object size: L156.0 x W50.0 cm
Accession No.
2001-01627
Collection of
The design of this wooden panel is highly representative of Minangkabau woodcarving, showing a geometric lattice filled with floral and vegetal motifs. The format of this panel suggests it would most likely have formed the central panel for an exterior wall on a traditional clan house or ‘rumah gadang’. These often very large houses, with their famed tiered roofs, were often richly ornamented with such carvings. The rumah gadang served as the residence of the family matriarch and her dependents but was also used as a hall for family meetings and ceremonial activities.
