Indonesian Mantle or Shoulder Cloth

Cream in the middle, pink-red stripes at the sides, and fringe at both ends.

This cotton mantle or shoulder cloth from Timor is from Timor, Indonesia, and dates to the 20th century. Cotton is spun and dyed by hand in many parts of eastern Indonesia, where natural dyes such as indigo and morinda root traditionally give deep blues and reds. Rectangular cloth with a plain cream center panel and bands of patterned red and white zigzag and diamond designs along each side. Long thread fringes extend at the top and bottom edges. It is 43 inches wide and 65 long.

Plain in the middle, and fancy where it counts.