1983.122 Sacred textile (sarita)

The design on this textile is dense with symbolic elements, each laden with meaning that represents hopes and prayers for wealth and prosperity. Two armed warriors appear in the center section. One rides a horse, while the other is accompanied by a fierce miniature goat-like animal that is known as an anoa and is only found on the island of Sulawesi. The ends of this sarita illustrate field scenes with prized buffalo. The figures above them are set in rows of ribbed, fishbone-like patterns called pa’buku pana, “the backbone of eels,” which signify the strength and aristocratic bearing of this cloth’s owner.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2013. 

n.d.: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas, purchased from Haji Samsuddin, Ujung Pandang (Makassar), Sulawesi, Indonesia

1983: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from above [1]

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is the Pacific American Corp. document titled "Dallas Museum of Art: The Steven G. Alpert Collection of Indonesian Textiles" in the Collections Records file labeled Steven G. Alpert—Indonesian Textiles. Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[1] See pages 1-4 of the correspondence between Harry S. Parker and Pacific American Corp. dated October 5, 1983, in the Collections Records file labeled Steven G. Alpert—Indonesian Textiles.

Apply to objects where number equals 1983.122