Indonesian Songket Shoulder Cloth

Maroon with a dark undertone, and nothing loud about it.

Weavers in Sumatra, Indonesia, made this songket shoulder cloth in cotton and gold thread in the 20th century. Songket is commonly worn for weddings and ceremonial dress, often with gold supplementary thread. The cloth is a long, slim band of maroon with a fine overall textured pattern, a touch of dark blue-purple in the weave. Loose fringe finishes the ends. The surface is soft and slightly brushed. It is a cloth meant to be worn over formal dress and handled with care.

About sixty-two by nineteen inches. Understated, and it hangs gracefully.