1983.86 Fringed panel

This silk panel with purple and cream ikat design is from northern Bali. Most of the ikat textiles from this area are cotton; when silk is used only the weft yarns are tied for the pattern. The repeated design, usually described as a four-point star, was probably inspired by the best known of Balinese textiles, the cotton double ikat cloth called geringsing, on which this same shape is alternated with groups of seated figures. It has been noted that this motif resembles the central axis plan of temple architecture. If the design source were the candi, or temple, which was a visualization of Mount Meru, the sacred mountain and center of the universe in both Hinduism and Buddhism, then the star form with its important center may have had cosmic significance.

Carol Robbins, "Variations on themes: Sumbawa and Bali," Selections from the Steven G. Alpert Collection of Indonesian Textiles (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1984), n.p.

Indonesia    

Until 1983: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas, purchased from Wira, Toko Wira, Bali, 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 1983.86