Hanging Item Number: Ef260 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Ikat-dyed design on fine hand woven blue cotton. Weft ikat dyes create objects of red and green, softly outlined on white on a black ground in three broad bands: (a) two bands of architectural structures, (b) central band of human and tree figures. Other bands of blue and white; checkered green, black and white outlined in red; checkered yellow and purple; single band of blue with white geometric designs, run between three broad bands above. A vertical leafy runner motif woven in white threads dominates upper field. Lengthwise border stripes are yellow and white on blue. Un-numbered end has broad redish-purple band outlined in white, dark blue and yellow. Numbered corner has paper label: 'NO. VR 28 WIDTH 105 LENGTH 205 RETAIL SALES PRICE 25 65 KHADI GRAMODYOG BHAVAN MADRAS'

History Of Use

Weft ikat-dyed textiles of Orissa are known to be technically outstanding. Traditional Orissan ikats are large and mostly made for saris, or, in the case of this item, door hangings. Doors are not common in ordinary Indian homes and rooms are often separated by hanging cloth. This is a fine example of weft ikat from Orissa which is famous for bold use of green and blue in deep tones. It was purchased in Madras, Tamil Nadu.

Item History

What

Name
Hanging
Identification Number
Ef260
Type of Item
hanging
Material
cotton fibre and dye
Manufacturing Technique
woven and resist dyed
Overall
height 255.5 cm, width 103.5 cm

Who

Culture
Indian
Previous Owner
Stephen Inglis
Received from
Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Cuttack, Odisha, India

When

Collection Date
during 1974
Ownership Date
before December 2, 1977
Acquisition Date
on December 2, 1977

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
0411/0226