Handwoven and dyed by Ibu Nurfia Muslimin. Proudly displaying a 3 colour Ikan or Fish motif on a chocolate background with 3 smaller ikat bands interspersed through the burgundy side stripes.

25cm wide x 142cm long.

10" wide x 56" long.

Most Indonesians only have their photographs taken for KTP identification cards hence the serious face. Despite laughs and joking around, when the shutter on the camera closes, much to my dismay so to does the face.

 Amongst the Islands of Alor, just off Timor, there are enclaves of women whose weavings are as determined as they are to be recognised. Hand woven on a simple backstrap loom the women usually use a coarser commercial thread and combine their natural dyes with those available commercially. The ikat motif themes are of the sea that surrounds them and is their life giver turtles and fish , waves and clouds occassionally jelly fish , banyan trees (their Tree of Life) land animals and reflections on the, still in place, bride price elephants and moko drums. The weaver may produce three pieces that look similar to one another yet each has its subtle variations. The resulting fabric is ideal for use in clothing and  accessories and would make original and strong cushion covers or upholstery fabric.