1983.77 Ceremonial cloth (tampan)

The characteristic features of Lampung textile ships are clearly depicted on this early monochromatic tampan from Kalianda.  Hooked prows mark the ends of the boat; medallions decorate the hull; passengers seem to stand at attention on the deck, and the central pair is sheltered by an umbrella or tree, which is itself enclosed by a towering architectural structure.

In the upper left and right corners of the tampan are two smaller, simpler vessels.  Each boat carries two passengers who stand beneath a triangular umbrella or tree.  The surrounding space is flecked with tiny dots, birds in profile, and geometric elements, all precisely woven.  The density of these small forms gives an atmospheric quality to the picture of three dramatically silhouetted ships.

Until 1983: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas, purchased from Y. Dt. Perpaith N. Basa, Jakarta, 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 1983.77