Shoulder cloth

Title
Shoulder cloth
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Tenganan, Bali, Lesser Sunda Islands
Dimension
Object size: L102.8x W23.1 cm (Without Tass
Accession No.
1997-04236
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng

This textile features floral motifs set in a chequered design. It was woven using the double ikat technique, where the resist dyeing process was applied to both vertical and horizontal threads. Such cloth were known as ‘geringsing’, which means ‘without’ (‘sing’) ‘illness’ or ‘evil’ (‘gering’) and are believed to have curative properties. They are also symbols of high status and are important in Balinese rituals.