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Women's ceremonial shoulder cloth (gerengsing, selendang)
Indonesian (Balinese)
Dutch colonial rule
late 19th or early 20th century
Object Place: Tenganan, Bali, Indonesia
Medium/Technique
Cotton, natural dyes; plain weave, warp and weft yarn-resist dyed (double ikat, geringsing)
Dimensions
39.6 x 169 cm (15 9/16 x 66 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Maria Antoinette Evans Fund
Accession Number30.813
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionLong rectangular cotton cloth with twisted fringe along each crosswise end. The primary design, created by the double ikat technique, is of a repeating lattice of diamond and star motifs in reddish brown (mengkudu) and natural ecru on a blue-black (indigo) ground.
Geringsing cloth is considered one of the most important ceremonial textiles in Bali, representing the concept of territorial, bodily and spiritual purity. These textiles are designed and made to be both worn and to be used in various other ritual contexts. Some geringsing, such as this one, reflect the strong design influence of Indian patola cloth.
Geringsing cloth is considered one of the most important ceremonial textiles in Bali, representing the concept of territorial, bodily and spiritual purity. These textiles are designed and made to be both worn and to be used in various other ritual contexts. Some geringsing, such as this one, reflect the strong design influence of Indian patola cloth.
ProvenanceVan Kerckhoff Collection. 1930, purchased by the MFA. (Accession Date: July 17, 1930)