Title
Skirtcloth
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Minangkabau, West Sumatra
Dimension
Object size: L154.9 x W117 cm
Accession No.
1997-04483
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng
Eight-petalled floral motifs scatter the centrefield of the skirtcloth, and the end panel is extensively woven in gold supplementary weft, known as ‘songket’. Songket is sometimes dubbed as ‘cloth of gold’. 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.
