Lawon Shoulder Cloth

Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia 
Late 19th Century 
Silk; tritik stitched resist zone dyed
mounted 84 x 33.5 in / 213 x 85 cm 
Price: 13.500 USD (shipping not included)

In the south of Sumatra, in the region of Palamgang, Lawon were used as shoulder cloths by women of noble birth in their senior years. 
A lawon begins its life as a very fine uncolored silk cloth traded into Sumatra from India or China. It is then stitched in a special manner before parts of the cloth are dipped in a progression of dye vats, such that only some colors are accepted in a given area of the textile; this technique is called 'stitched resist.'
The women who made lawon were great artists, coming up with very interesting color compositions with spiritual overtones that bring to mind the work of Mark Rothko but anticipate his work by at least 50 years.

PRESENTED BY:
Thomas Murray