1983.89 Man's sarong

Among the goods brought to Indonesia by Arab and Indian traders were silk and metallic yarns, materials distinctively integrated into the weaving traditions of Sumatra, Bali, and Sumbawa. Metal-wrapped yarn was used extravagantly on this Sumbawa sarong, concentrated in an oppulent center panel on the densely woven cotton skirt. The principle motif is an elaborate plant flanked by confronting bird profiles, woven in silvery yarn on a blue and black plaid ground and oriented horizontally as the sarong is seamed. Although the ancient configuration of a tree flanked by birds can signify the tree of life, it is not clear if its use on this skirt is more decorative than symbolic. 

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    

n.d.: Yamin Makawaru, Indonesia, purchased from members of the royal family in Sumbawa Besar, Sumbawa

Until 1983: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas, purchased from Yamin Makawaru, 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 1983.89