‘Songket’ Cloth from Pasemah

This finely woven silk and fine cotton textile from Pasemah, in central Sumatera, was probably used as a shouldercloth or headwrap, tho no fold lines are in evidence. It consists of a field of red and black plaid bordered by two identical ends with songket bands and rosettes (the metal has worn off most of the threads). The ends are beautifully finished with fine silk edging and small knots made from warp threads. This piece has a few small holes, one tear (see damage) and a few spots, but is in otherwise excellent condition. Pasemah textiles were little known until the last decade or so, but are now prized by collectors. First third 20thc.

Size: 80″x30″