Antique Textile Ceremonial from Sumba Island n°:262811

205 × 63 cm (6' 8" × 2' 0")

Antique Textile Indonesian indigenous art, Sumba Island: a refined palimpsest of mythological symbolism and textile mastery. This extraordinary artifact is ....

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SKU: 262811 Category: Antique Textiles Tags: Antique Pictorial Rugs, Kilim&Textile

Textile Details

Date (ca.): 19th Century
Origin: Indonesia
Field: Special
Design: Figurative
Material: Cotton
Approximate dimensions: Runner
Production Manner: Handmade
Color: |
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Textile Description

Antique Textile Indonesian indigenous art, Sumba Island: a refined palimpsest of mythological symbolism and textile mastery. This extraordinary artifact is one of the most sophisticated and rare expressions of Southeast Asian textile art. Originating from Sumba Island, world-renowned for its preservation of animist traditions, the piece is distinguished by a superfine “double-face” technique. This high-level craftsmanship allows the intricate design to be read perfectly on both sides, mirroring each other with surgical precision.

The decorative composition unfolds in a modular manner, organized in horizontal registers dominated by powerful zoomorphic motifs. The scene features deer, symbols of nobility and royalty, alternating with stylized birds and anthropomorphic talismans that serve as a bridge between the earthly world and the ancestral spirits (Marapu). Every figure is imbued with apotropaic value: the animals are not mere ornaments but totemic guardians woven into a dense lattice of sacred geometries.

The color palette, derived from natural pigments extracted from roots and plants, revolves around deep earthy tones typical of Sumba’s nobility. The modular structure and the rhythmic repetition of symbols create an almost hypnotic visual effect, rendering the textile a work of both abstract and figurative art.

Condition: Excellent. The textile fiber is remarkably well-preserved, maintaining the sharpness of the modular motifs and the cohesion of the complex double-face weave. Held at the Mollaian Rugs Gallery.

Dimensions & Interior Design Advice: 205 × 63 cm. A piece of rare ethno-anthropological value, ideal for tribal art collectors or as a sophisticated wall hanging capable of adding historical and spiritual depth to refined contemporary interiors.

Explore our amazing collection of antique textiles.

At Mollaian srl we try to do our best, giving a new life to some of antique rugs with minor problems, that may have affected by age. So, apart from what is visible on the presented photos, it should be noted that the rugs are professionally cleaned, and where necessary, the Selvages/Sides and Ends/Fringes have been secured. Upon request, we can provide a complete condition report (including any retouch performed by our restoration team), if it is not already presented down below.