We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Geringsing

circa 1850

Artists

Unknown Artist

Alternate image of Geringsing by

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Tenganan → Bali → Indonesia
    Date
    circa 1850
    Media category
    Textile
    Materials used
    handspun cotton, natural dyes; double ikat technique with embroidery
    Dimensions
    49.0 x 217.0 cm
    Credit
    Purchased with funds provided by the Asian Art Collection Benefactors 2003
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    112.2003
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    This spectacular 'geringsing' was made for the Raja of Amlapura in eastern Bali. It replicates the flower and trellis pattern of patolas to bold effect. What is unusual about these cloths, however, is the embroidered decoration on the two ends of the textile, the threads of which were once couched in gold, suggesting the importance and value ascribed to them. In the traditional context 'geringsings' were significant as sacred cloths and were worn as breast wrappers or shoulder cloths during religious ceremonies. The sacred value of these cloths is suggested by the rituals and rites associated with each step of their manufacture which ensured the purity of these cloths.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, June 2003.

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 2 exhibitions