This textile, probably a breast or shoulder cloth, is made using the 'endek' technique (weft ikat). The design of the centrefield consists of vertically organised bands with geometric patterns between rows of arrowheads. Ikat literally means to tie, which describes a resist-dye process in which warp (vertical) or weft (horizontal) threads are tied off using strips of palm leaf or other similar material. By removing or re-tying the resists in between, dyeing multi-coloured patterns of great complexity can be achieved. Once dyeing is completed, the threads are ready for weaving.The manufacture of endek and the use of silk were closely linked to the royal courts, theatre and dance performances. These elegant textiles were also used during temple and death ceremonies as well as for weddings textiles.
