woven russet and indigo cotton, with traces of gilt metal foil, with an intricate design of stylised ships amongst semi-abstract figures and animals, surrounded by bands of geometric and scroll motifs, mounted on stretcher, 56 x 60cm

Tampans were produced mostly by the women of Lampung, a region rich from the cultivation of pepper. Almost all families would have possessed a few of these cloths which were used for display at family ceremonies such as marriage and had a variety of functions including being used to cover food. For other Sumatran ceremonial textiles with stylised ship designs, see Gittinger 1985, pp.89-93. See also lot xxxxxxx