Object size: (with tassels) 241.0 x 48.5 cm
This cloth has a centrefield patterned with a motif that the Balinese call geringsing. It appears to have been inspired by similar patterns on earlier textiles of very early origin, including early Indian patola patterns which survive only in 18th century block print imitation patola cloths, and even earlier, enigmatic weft ikat cloths which have been found in South Sumatra but which may have come originally from Java. The geringsing motif can be read as a cosmic map and relates directly to temple Hindu and Buddhist architecture with a central point radiating outward. As such, the motif represents a sort of top down cosmic diagram, where sacred centres are surrounded by complex levels and layers of political, social, or spiritual organisation that radiate out and interlock with each other. The geringsing motif survives today in cloths from Tenganan Pageringsingan, on the island of Bali. These are the only true double ikat cloths still being produced in Southeast Asia. The native inhabitants of Tenganan claim descent from Indian migrants, a fact which has been demonstrated by DNA testing.
