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107 Roti Group, Roti
Lafa ina (horse blanket)  
| | | Period: | 1925-1940, perhaps earlier | | Yarn: | Cotton, hand-spun, medium | | Technique: | Warp ikat | | Panels: | 2 | | Size: | 77.5 x 167 cm (2' 6" x 5' 5") LW: 2.15 | | Weight: | 545 g (19.2 oz), 421 g/m2 (1.38 oz/ft2) | | Design: | Four identical sections consisting of wider and narrower ikated bands. This division in four sections appears to be fundamental to the type, as it is seen in all of the examples that we are familiar with: one in the NGA, two in the Breguet collection, one in the McKnight collection, and the second in our collection, see link below. The absence of fringes appears to be the norm, the only exception being PC 302. The chief motif, consisting of four lozenges arranged in diamond pattern around a smaller fifth diamond, probably represents a flower, and was mostly likely patola-inspired. It is also found on the large lafa ina PC 302. | | Comment: | Lafa ina, horse blanket, which according to some sources is also suitable for use as a shroud. The design of lafi ina calls for a strong red component. All natural dyes. Clearly used fairly extensively. Somewhat faded (probably due to regular washing, which is hardly ever done to cloths meant for human use), but with a beautiful tonality and fine patina. Rather losely woven, almost crêpe-like, as reflected in the weight. A bit of wear on one of the extremities. Microscopy shows some of the most organic-looking weaving that we have seen, similar to 19th or very early 20th c. ikat from Kisar, Timor, Ndao. This suggests that aging may be too conservative. Ex collection Dr. Krista Knirck-Bumke. | | Background: | Chapters on Roti Group and Roti. | | Published: | Ikat Textiles of the Indonesian Archipelago, 2018.
| | Compare: | 302 | | Sources: | Similar to early 20th c. lafa ina in National Gallery of Australia, NGA 84.1103, but with richer ikat decoration. Same division of the field into four sections separated by plain bars offset with white striping. Similar triple repeat per section of the motif in the main ikated bands. In this example the main ikated band is repeated twice per panel, in the NGA example the outermost ikated band carries a somewhat simpler star-like motif. In the NGA example the main ikated motif is a lozenge, here we see a more convoluted constellation of lozenges that in its countours itself is lozenge shaped. | | |
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ONLINE MUSEUM OF INDONESIAN IKAT TEXTILES
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