This cotton sarong, soft with age, is sewn lengthwise to make a tube into which the wearer steps and can bring it up high over the head if it's raining. Natural dyes have been used. This piece has a beautiful gentle indogo haze over both ends which may be older panels than the central brighter section. The edges and the background show how hand dyed, handwoven fabrics have so many natural variations. It was woven in Ende, the major port on Flores on the south coast. Flores is one of the live volcanic islands of Indonesia.
Read about Flores Ikats in the general notes of the Ikat Collection. It is amazing how the back strap loom is used and the technique of ikat weaving is an astonishing, time demanding traditional technique. Growing, fermenting and dyeing with the indigo plant also requires patience and expertise.
This tube with a hand sewn seam (see image) can be easily unpicked to change the dimensions from 75 x 146 cms to 150 x 146 cms to use as bed cover, wall hanging, sofa blanket or table cloth. Wash gently by hand. If it is to become a wall hanging, hand stitch a narrow pocket on the back to take a rod. This is a valuable vintage artwork.
