Spice Trade Symbols

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 compete her traditional dress.

The motif Kelapa is the toolbox used to make and repair the boats called peledang in the south part of Lembata. Any weaver is allowed to make this motif. In Lamalera boats, with palm leaf sails, are rowed by 13 men in search of large prey on the high seas. This motif will only be found in the bands at the head and foot of the cloth.

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, 2018. 162 x 19 cm / 64 x 7.5 in