textile art

Palampore

Twisting and turning as it rises from the rocky ground, this sinuous tree of life bursts into flower with large, showy blossoms.

Made in India through a labor-intensive process of repeated dyeings, such hangings were widely exported. The details of the design and coloration were adapted for specific markets.

This particular type of hanging was highly prized by the Toraja people of Sulawesi, Indonesia, who believed the cloth had special powers and used it for ceremonial purposes.

Asian Art