Shoulder cloth

A ‘selendang’ or shoulder cloth is a narrow piece of rectangular cloth worn over the shoulder. The centrefield displays eight-petalled rosettes and is framed by broad patterned end panels. This piece was made using the ‘weft ikat’ technique, where the horizontal threads are tied and dyed before the fabric is woven. The use of weft ikat is found throughout Southeast Asia, including the eastern coast of Malay Peninsula, coastal Sumatra, Bali and Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines.