Fine Vintage East Sumba Indonesia Hinggi Ikat Winged Naga Dragon Textile 97\" L For Sale

This exceptional vintage East Sumbanese hinggi ceremonial textile came fromthe estate of former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore Harry Thayer, a notedcollector of Southeast Asian tribal and ethnographic textiles.

This large, traditional man\'s mantle is woven inintricate warp ikat and dominated by extraordinary monumental winged naga ordragon-serpent motifs.

The cloth measures approximately 41\" wide x85\" long, excluding fringe. The hand-knotted fringe extends approximately6\" from each end, giving an overall length of approximately 97\" —just over 8 feet.

This was hand woven using traditional constructiontechniques, the 41\" width made of two narrow loom-width panels, separatelywoven and carefully hand-sewn together along the entire center seam.

The warp ikat design is created through a complexprocess. The yarns are first resist dyed in a way that would form a patternwhen woven, resulting in the characteristic slightly blurred outlines visiblein the photos.

This hinggi features enormous mirrored mythologicalcreatures dominating the principal design fields, likely stylized winged nagaor dragon-serpents. Their fantastic forms have long central bodies, elaborateangular wings or projecting appendages, crested heads and strongly symmetricalcompositions. Their extraordinary geometric abstraction is characteristic oftraditional East Sumbanese ikat.

The dramatic creatures alternate with narrower bands ofsmaller stylized zoomorphic forms and intricate geometric motifs. The entirecomposition is organized around repetition, bilateral symmetry and stronghorizontal bands. The colors are equally striking: deep indigo-blue/black,brick and rust red, muted blue and natural cream.

AGE & ORIGIN: East Sumba, Indonesia. Probablymid-20th century, approximately 1940s–1960s, possibly somewhat earlier.

The traditional two-panel construction, warp-ikattechnique, subdued palette, substantial fringe, complex iconography, evidentage and collection history are all consistent with an older traditional hinggirather than a recent decorative reproduction.

PROVENANCE: From the estate of a former U.S. diplomat toSoutheast Asia who collected fine Indonesian textiles.

This collection history is especially appropriate for anolder Indonesian ceremonial textile of this quality. No documentation survivesestablishing the exact village, weaver or original acquisition date, so thosedetails are not claimed.

CONDITION: Very good vintage condition with the expectedirregularities, wear and evidence of age associated with a traditionalhandwoven textile. This was well stored with no issues.

The two narrow woven panels are hand-joined along thecenter. Close photographs show this construction clearly. There are occasionalloose/pulled threads and minor irregularities in the weave, together withage-related wear and variation to the fringe. The colors show some naturalvariation and fading consistent with age and use.

Please examine the detailed photographs carefully. Ihave included close views of the weave, center seam, fringe, motifs andcondition so the buyer can evaluate the textile fully.

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