Textile from Indonesia
The permanent exhibition ‘Indonesian Textiles’ has been taken down. We are working on a new presentation of our textiles collection to be presented elsewhere in the museum within the near future.
Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
For Indonesians, the art of weaving, of interlacing warp and weft yarns, symbolises life: the warp threads, connected to the loom, represent that which is ordained and decreed; the weft threads, weaving back and forth, signify change.
The art of weaving has a long history in Indonesia, and it remains a vibrant tradition. Apart from everyday clothing, textiles are also woven for religious rituals and ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. At these occasions specially woven and decorated cloths play an important role.
For some two thousand years, influences from Asia, the Arabic world and Europe have contributed to the process of Indonesia’s cultural development. That history is reflected in Indonesia's textiles. Their wide variety also underlines the richness of the various Indonesian cultures.
This presentation focuses on Indonesia’s rich heritage of textiles and on the techniques employed in their manufacture and decoration.
Follow the Tropenmuseum on: