| Item-Number: | 801212 |
| Item-Description: | South Sumatra Kroe ceremonial cloth (Tampan) |
| Medium: | Cotton, hand spun, natural dyes |
| Origin: | South Sumatra - Kroe |
| Dimensions: | 88 (h) x 73 (w) cm |
| Age: | 19th century |
| Provenance: | Collected South Sumatra 1980 |
| Condition: | Outstanding for age, dyes still vivid although a little faded to base, very minor damage to edges, no holes or repairs to body |
| Notes: | General: Tampan are unique and unusual ritual cloths from the Kroe people living in the Lampung area of South Sumatra. They are created by applying a supplementary weft on a plain cotton weave and coloured using natural dyes. They are generally square in shape.
Tampan cloths were exchanged between Kroe families to consecrate ritual occasions especially those involving major life transitions such as birth, circumcision, courtship, marriage and death. Their use was both spiritual and symbolic but they were also used as wrappings for gifts such as money or food. The ship (a symbol of transition) is a common element in a large number of Tampan. They also commonly exhibit horizontal mirror symmetry, created so that when the cloth is placed over an object as a cover, folded along the horizontal axis, the picture appears correctly oriented in the upward direction on both sides.
Specific: This rectangular Tampan is of exceptional quality with its natural dyes still vivid. Imagery includes ship elements, the mythical Naga, human figures and other mystic and spiritual symbols. Carries blue edging and a blue central “window” showing a small boat. |
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