1983.105 Woman's tubular garment (tais feto)

This ceremonial skirt (tais feto) sumptuously combines panels of plain weave, tight ikat patterns, and elaborate side panels populated by anthropomorphic creatures. Numerous figures with geometric bodies formed by squares and double triangles seem to float on a deeply dyed ground of organic color. These figures were created with imported silk floss using supplementary weft wrapping techniques.

This skirt is from the village of Nurobo in the kingdom of Mandeu, West Timor. It would have been worn by the wife of a local raja or king, or by an important female member of the king’s family during important ceremonies and rituals, and passed on as a treasured heirloom.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, June 2013.

Until 1983: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas, purchased from Go Tjin Liong, Kupang, 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 1983.105