This subtle warp ikat textile would most likely have been worn as a shoulder cloth. It is intricately decorated with fine embroidery with a lattice of beads which were carefully incorporated into the cloth while it was being woven. The ends are embellished with a heavy band of white beads, a feature believed to be found only on very early cloths. The Mandailing Batak live to the southwest of Lake Toba. They are mostly Muslim and their textiles are quite different from other Batak groups. Textiles of various types were used for ceremonies including birth rites, marriages and at death. At marriage textiles are an important component of wealth exchange. The bride’s family would present handwoven textiles as gifts to the bride as well as the groom and his family. The groom’s family would reciprocate with “hard” items such as knives, jewellery and silver or brass boxes and containers. Such gift giving was an opportunity for families to display their wealth and status.
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