Product Description

Antique Lembata Woman’s Bridewealth Textile 2

Material: Handspun cotton
Style: Lembata, Indonesia
Size: Length 226 cm, Width 64 cm
Order Number: MHSALLWBT2

Lembata is a small island just off the eastern coast east of Flores  in the Lesser Sunda islands, formerly known as Lomblen island. It is the largest island in a small group, which share a culture known as Lamaholot.

The villages around the Ili Api volcano on the north coast of Lembata have produced some of Eastern Indonesia’s finest weavers. They supplied the interior and Kedang in the east with ceremonial textiles, especially  bridewealth cloths, which displayed their highest skills.

Bridewealth cloths are part of the complex gift exchange that takes place at marriage and continues throughout the couple’s life. Textiles are from the wife’s family.

They must be made from locally produced handspun cotton and natural dyes. Morinda citrifolia producing dark red and indigo producing dark blue purple are the main dyes.

The patterns in the bands are striking and balanced. The number of bands is always uneven.

Map of Lembata.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).