This ceremonial cloth or ‘tampan’ depicts the tree-of-life motif which is used widely in Southeast Asia. The key and hook motifs in the background suggest the influence of Dong Son, a prehistoric civilisation in North Vietnam which was highly influential in the archipelago. Such ceremonial hangings could be used as gifts, covers for ritual offerings or pillows for the deceased. It is normally woven using the supplementary weft technique, where additional horizontal threads create patterns over the top of the ground weave.
