Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Southern Sumatra, Lampung region, ca. 19th century CE. A handwoven tampan textile with a light brown cotton plain-weave ground with intricate supplementary wefts (brocading) in red, blue, and ochre yellow. Tampan are intricately woven square cloths, such as this, which were exchanged during significant rites of passage, serving as celebratory items for events like births, deaths, marriages, and social rank ceremonies in Lampung culture. The intricate designs are symmetrical spirals and geometric forms, with stylized animals standing upright, their forms outlined by the red threads, and this pattern suggests it was woven by an inland community. Size: 15.75" L x 16.5" W (40 cm x 41.9 cm)

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art curatorial team, "Tampan were owned and used by virtually every Lampung family to consecrate ritual occasions and to assist each individual as he or she progressed through the diverse ceremonies that marked the various stages of life. Tampan were displayed or exchanged at both birth and death, at marriages, circumcisions, and ceremonies marking changes in social rank. They served as the focal point for ceremonial meals, as the seat for the elders who oversaw traditional law, and were tied to the ridge poles of newly built houses. They were a sacred force that bound society together. Tampan occur in two regional styles and in two primary colors. Those woven in blue depict the secular realm, those in red the sacred. Examples from the inland mountains show stylized natural or domestic subjects and geometric designs, while those from the coast (tampan pasisir) display richly detailed scenes of ships and other motifs."

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

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#184503

Selvedge edges are not finished and fraying. Fading to colors. Areas of fraying and pulls to threads. Several perforations and losses to fibers in the center and edges of weaving. All holes have been stabilized, the textile is attached to a modern cotton cloth backing, which is preventing any further unraveling. The cloth is professionally mounted on a wooden frame stretcher. Ready to display!