Indonesian Ider-Ider or Banner, Depicting Village Life, Framed

Ten feet of village gossip, stitched and framed. The pigs seem unconcerned.

This ider-ider, or banner, depicting village life comes from Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia, and dates to the early 20th century. It is embroidered cotton. Balinese ider-ider are long, narrow textiles hung along the eaves of temples and pavilions, decorating them for festivals and ceremonies. Figures here go about their day in a single running scene, among trees, fences and low platforms, with a herd of dark pigs at the center. A zigzag edge runs below. It sits in a wide cream mat within a dark wood frame. The image is 104 inches wide and 10 high; framed, 120.5 wide.

Very little of importance happens. It takes all ten feet.