1983.95 Woman's skirt (lau pahudu)

Ros

Only the lower portions of this textile were visible when it was worn by a noblewoman on important ceremonial occasions. Divided into two parts separated by a wide fringed band, the weaver—also a woman of the nobility—employed different techniques to realize the design. The two rows of geometric motifs were achieved by supplementary warp weaving, a technique in which additional yarns are woven over the background. The figurative motif was created by ikat dyeing, which involves resist dyeing yarns before weaving. The latter features two monumental female figures with their arms raised and scorpions beneath their genitalia. Alternating with these figures are three smaller figures and star-shaped forms. The contrasting techniques produce a powerful visual effect. 

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2016.

Until 1983: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas, purchased in the village of Rende, Indonesia, at Queen Juliana's home. The piece was brought  by an elderly gentleman who was related to Rende though he lived in a nearby village.

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 1983.95