Ikat Hand Woven Hand Spun Natural Dye Women Rare Tube Sarong Tais Alor Indonesia

This image / motif is the weavers representation of starfish and jelly fish surrounded by bands of clouds and waves that surround her island, it has been achieved by tying small bunches of thread in the weft then dying it, this is where the word IKAT [to knot or tie] comes from. Woven on a simple back strap loom, which the woman herself tensions, to create this unique sarong or tais.

112cm / 44″ long

130cm / 51″ circum

If you wish to gather multiple treasures, and international buyers are welcome, this website and shop cart should allow for it. If not, I will contact you to find the most economical way to send your treasures to you.

I am Julie and have been collecting Timorese Treasures in the field since 1990 when I won a prize for overseas travel in a pub in Darwin [true]. I had no idea at the time that I had stumbled upon an Aladdin’s cave of authentic traditional tribal textiles and treasures. I have been returning annually ever since [well most years] and been witness to many changes across the last 3 decades. Who knows when we will be able to travel there again to obtain such treasures?

NOTE: We use recycled packaging.

Clearly none of us are sure what will happen post COVID, if there is such a thing, but I do know that the villagers, carvers and weavers up in the mountains will be grateful when some outside dollars comes into their informal/circular economy. Therefore every purchase you choose to make with me will benefit the Atoni [people of West Timor] as soon as I can get back there.

I distribute reading glasses and nutritious food seeds as the soil in the western half of Timor is very poor and water a precious resource. Please contact me if you wish to contribute.