Toraja Sekomandi or Ceremonial Hanging

A field of stepped red diamonds on black, with fringe that goes on.

Toraja weavers of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, made this sekomandi, or ceremonial hanging, in cotton in the 20th century. Toraja textiles are commonly associated with funerals and other ceremonies, and sekomandi are often hung on ritual occasions. The cloth is woven in a dark ground with rows of stepped, hooked motifs in rust red and cream. Bands of small diamonds run across the top and bottom. Long twisted fringe hangs at both ends. The colors are warm browns and earth reds.

About seventy-one inches by fifty-five. Large and rhythmic. Let it take the whole wall.