The dominant motif of this superb supplementary warp skirt is a large and bold fish. It may represent a ray, which is distinguished from other fish with horizontally flat bodies by its forked tail. The lines shown inside the body probably represent bones.

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 Balin

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.

The somber yet majestic color scheme of Batak textiles contrasts starkly with the raw energy of much Batak sculpture.  The restricted palette is richly symbolic, for in ritual contexts black (or very dark blue), red, and white represent the three cosmic levels—the lower, middle, and up

One of the most dramatic Indonesian textiles is the ceremonial hanging called palepai, a long horizontal cloth whose stylized motifs include a ship with scrolled prows (the central portion of this example), animals bearing riders, and architectural s