30th Anniversary Textile Exhibition 2009


15006

Lampit
Ceremonial Mat
Paminggir People, Lampong, South Sumatra
Indonesia, 19th century

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Technique: Laced split rattan with burned design.

Description: Four moons are "connected" to a larger central moon by flying birds, two sides show masted ships with crew, and the alternating sides show smaller boats, birds and moon slivers. The variety of animals gives this lampit a particularly lively feeling. A few lampits came out about 15 years ago and since then I have seen nothing of this quality.

Lampit made by men and tampan (woven ceremonial cloths) made by women were paired as ritual objects symbolizing the male and female elements of the universe. Although lampits were regarded as more prestigious and were counted among the heirlooms of the noble families in Lampong. Lampit were considered an appropriate seat for the most powerful noble at gatherings or for an aristocratic bride at a wedding ceremony. Some lampit (there is no reliable information concerning this example) may actually have come from Java as they were known to be a sign of favor or patronage granted by the rulers of Bantan, who exercised sovereignty over Lampong for several centuries. Lampit were pusaka or sacred heirlooms and were kept stored in the umbrella shaped ancestral temples.

Condition: Very good, some breakage, the photo makes it look stained at one end but it is not.

Dimensions: 2' 7" x 2' 10" ( 0.79 x 0.87 m ), 3' x 3' 3 1/4" ( 0.92 x 1.0 m ) Mounted

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