Title
Ceremonial cloth
Year/Period
19th century
Region
Lampung, South Sumatra
Dimension
Object size: L:53.1cm * W:51.7cm
Accession No.
1997-04433
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng
This ceremonial cloth or ‘tampan’ depicts three ships woven in different colours on top of one another. Their stems and prows are in spiral patterns and floral motifs occupy the deck of the ships. Ship imagery in Lampung textiles symbolises a spiritual vessel that carries the community through transitions in life. Ceremonial cloths could be used as gifts, covers for ritual offerings or pillows for the deceased. It is normally woven using the supplementary weft technique, where additional horizontal threads create patterns over the top of the ground weave.
