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

Title

waistsash, breastcloth

circa 1900

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Bali → Indonesia
    Date
    circa 1900
    Media category
    Textile
    Materials used
    silk, natural dyes; weft 'ikat'
    Dimensions
    40.2 x 248.5 cm
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Bequest of Alex Biancardi 2000
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    265.2000
    Copyright
    © Copyright reserved

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    This striking and beautifully dyed 'ikat' cloth portrays a mythical creature in a greatly abstracted, rainbow-skinned, serpent-like form. The central design of multi-coloured squares arranged somewhat like a weaving pattern is bordered by diamond motifs which appear face-like. Such a design, probably derived from a pattern known as 'gigi barong' (the teeth of the auspicious and mythical 'lion' of Balinese Hindu legend known as the 'barong'), the form of which appears to have been greatly influenced by Chinese dragon imagery.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, August 2000

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    Bali

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication