Big Fishes of Lamalera

This one-of-a-kind ikat textile from the island of Lembata speaks trade that made the Indonesian spice islands such an intense point of commerce centuries ago. The ikat motif on this textile is called Kelape is a toolbox containing all the important tools that are required to make and repair the boats called Peledang in Lamalera. These boats, with palm leaf sails, are rowed by 13 men in search of large fish on the high seas. This motif will only be found in the bands at the head and foot of the cloth.

This one panel textile is locally known as a senai which is a narrow textile woven to be worn over the shoulder or around the neck by a woman to complete her traditional dress. Traditional textiles always contain elements that relate to the way of life within the culture.

Information about the makers will be supplied with each cloth.
Warp Ikat, single panel, twisted fringe, commercial cotton, natural dyes. Ikat tied, dyed and woven in Wulandoni, Lembata, 2025. Size 152 x 15 cm / 60 x 6 in