Exceptional Vintage Torajan Seko Mandi Ikat Ritual Textile
Vintage Toraja Ritual Blanket – Warp 5’ 2” x Weft 4’ 4” (157.5 x 132 cm) excluding fringe
Hand-Spun Cotton woven on a Back-strap Loom, Natural Dyes
Toradjan warp ikat blankets are very important for funeral rites, where they are principally used as shrouds to wrap the deceased or to cover a coffin. They are also highly prized as marriage exchange gifts, or used as hangings to partition sacred areas during initiation rites, or even for the payment of fines.
This beautiful textile was personally collected at source in Torajaland, Sulawesi (Indonesia) in 2001, but it probably dates from the second half of the 20th century.
It has been woven from vegetable-dyed hand-spun cotton on a back-strap loom in two identical parts that have been stitched together down the middle.
This textile is in perfect original condition, and is absolutely stunning. It would look wonderful displayed as a wall hanging or as a throw over a chair, or even as a rug. It has been stored, unused, with similar Torajan blankets in my textile cabinet ever since, but really deserves to be out on display.
Please Note: The irregularities in the main photo are due to fold creases that would simply iron out.