Title
Talismanic vest
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Java or Sumatra
Dimension
Object size: L 60.4 x W 54.4
Accession No.
1997-04181
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng
This vest with Arabic characters was probably ceremonial wear. Other textiles with Arabic characters were worn on special occasions: head cloths were believed to be powerful talismans and were worn by men in battle; shoulder cloths were probably used as shrouds in funerals or hangings at royal circumcisions.
