Title
Headcloth
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Sumatra
Dimension
Object size: 86.3 x 85.4 cm
Accession No.
1997-04457
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng
The textile is richly decorated with foliage designs in ‘weft ikat’ at the centrefield and gold supplementary weft, known as ‘songket’ at the borders. Men’s headcloths in coastal Sumatra tended to be decorative. The fine quality of the gold thread ensures that it will not easily damaged when the headcloth is folded. The headcloth is adopted by men in Southeast Asia. Various styles of folding the headcloth may reflect status or ethnic origin.
