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Ikat from Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia
 

039 Borneo, Sarawak


Pua kumbu


Locale: Iban Dayak, Second Division.
Period: 1940-1950
Panels: 2
Design: Field decorated with grid of diamond shaped, intertwining forms in brick red, cream and light indigo, representing fish traps, bu-bu lying in the river, with aquatic creatures hiding and lurking amongst water reeds and swirling whirlpools. One of the many titles of this design is Genali. Longitudinal borders in red, yellow and dark brown.
Size: 104 x 211 cm (40.9 x 83 in)
Yarn: Cotton, hand-spun, fine
Comment: Beautifully rhythmic motifs, excellent execution, showcasing the great intricacy of Saribas ikat in this bloom period for Iban design. Note that though it was commercial thread that sparked the 'intricacy revolution' among the Saribas people, this pua was done in fine hand spun yarn.
Background: Additional information in chapters on Borneo and Sarawak.
Published: Ikat Textiles of the Indonesian Archipelago, 2018.
Compare: 041 040
Sources: Similar pua in Gittinger, Splendid Symbols, Fig. 166. Similar piece also in Heppell, c.s., Iban Art, Fig. 17; and in Gavin, Iban Ritual Textiles, Fig. 62. Pua with a more basic rendition of the fish-traps motif on Ong, Pua, Iban Weavings of Sarawak, Plate 21. Note on motifs by Vernon Kedit.
  
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