Description
W1709 – Biboke District Taumkessi village West Timor – Babinesu royal motif. Extremely well executed 3 colour ikat. Commercial cotton thread with natural morinda dye. A beautiful textile that will outlast you and me even if you wear if every winter and special occasion.
150cm / 58″ long
24cm / 9.5″ wide
This very effective image 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, whilst hand weaving on a simple back strap loom to create this selendang or betana that is smooth to the touch.
Scarves and all handwoven textiles in West Timor representing traditional clothing and epitomise cultural pride as the weaver is able to tell her story within the threads. You can often read where she hails from within the construction, motif and colours.
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.
Clearly none of us are sure what will happen post COVID, but I do know that the villagers, carvers and weavers up in the mountains will be grateful when some outside dollars come 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 very precious resource. Please contact me if you wish to contribute.
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