The centrefield of this shoulder cloth features chequered design, while its borders are decorated in floral motifs woven in gold supplementary weft, known as ‘songket’. Although the art of songket weaving is practised across the Malay world, the Minangkabau are especially well known for both the quality of their songket as well as the high importance which they place on such textiles. Songket was a symbol of status and traditionally reserved for aristocrats in Minangkabau society. It was used during ceremonial occasions and weddings.
