1906 SOLD Large Toraja Ceremonial Cloth with Female Musicians

Large complete panel depicting a procession of female musicians

Block printed on fine cotton.

Single-sided printing - so it is easy to make out the correct side of the cloth.

All old examples of a similar type have been described as trade cloths traded out of Gujarat to Toraja.

204cm x 92 cm 

This example is estimated to be from the 1970s-1990s 

Pleasing palette. Note the use of green in the bottom border, the musical instrument and on the parrots. 

This textile is similar to the 'Ceremonial Cloth and Heirloom Textile with Row of Female Musicians' at the LACMA.

A field visit to Toraja in 2024 April offered confirmation that such cloths are used in ceremonies even today. (See WOVENSOULS on Instagram to view cultural videos) 

Not only are heirloom textiles that are hundreds of years old being used, even more recently made ones are required to replace the old textiles that are essential in the ceremonies. 

This is one of the younger cloths that has been used in ceremonies. Such cloths rarely come up for sale as families value their ancestral heirlooms. And these are sold only in times of financial need.