2004 Antique Textile Hipwrapper Ceylon

Antique Sri Lanka Hip Wrapper Textile 

Exquisite Somana Cloth Mudaliyar Garment from Sri Lanka

Estimated to be from the early-mid 1900s.

Used as a garment / hip & body wrapper.

Called  'Somana' Cloth / Mudaliyar Garment (if I have understood correctly)

This Indian trade cloth, produced on the Coromandel Coast of southeast India, was exported to Sri Lanka.  In Ceylon, such a cloth served as a somana tuppottiya—a sarong or wrapped garment worn by wealthy men. Collected in Sri Lanka (Ceylon).

These cloths were worn in the Southeast Asian style, wrapped around the waist so the tumpal-like end border patterns were displayed at the front. Many later found their way into temple treasuries or became cherished heirlooms among aristocratic families.

Has minor signs of age.

Overall good condition.

Complete textiles are not easy to find as these are garments and face considerable wear and tear. This one is complete, in good condition AND has densely drawn motifs all over the field, with a very pleasing palette.

Literature Reference: read more about Somana cloths in Cohen, Steve. The Unusual Textile Trade between India and Sri Lanka. In Textiles from India: The Global Trade.***

This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.

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