Ikats and Weavings

IKATS AND WEAVINGS FROM INDONESIA

Indonesia, especially Sumba, is well known for its ikats. An ikat is a decorative material in which the warp [or weft] threads are tie dyed before the weaving takes place. The patterns are made by tying water resistant substances such as palm fibre, grass or plastic strings to the threads before any dyeing is done. Sometimes special knots are made to indicate which ties have to be removed before another dyeing occurs. The protected areas retain the original colour of the yarn. Indigo is usually dyed first, and then some ties are removed and the threads are dyed in a second strong colour such as red or dark brown. More ties are removed and the threads are dyed in lighter colours. The very last ties removed show the original off white colour of the yarn. Ikat designs have a characteristically feathery look because during the dyeing process, some of the dyes seep under the edges of the ties. I have many pictures of ikat making from my trip to Sumba. Ikat is made in Thailand, India, The Philippines and other countries, also.Sumba is a very basic society in which headhunting was a common activity in the fairly recent past, so many of the designs include skulls. Also, fertility is very important, and the betel nut is chewed extensively and is consider sexually symbolic. The white lime powder is supposed to represent semen, and the red colour of the spittle is supposed to represent blood. For marriage, a number of beautifully woven ikats are a part of the bride’s dowry. 

The wooden ikat holders are not included in the prices of the ikats or other weavings.

All Prices are in Canadian Dollars 

This is an extremely large and long splendid ikat and weaving decorated with exquisite animal shell designs from Sumba. The centre section is an ikat featuring horses, birds and abstract designs. Both side panels are woven with large crabs and abstract designs. The most striking designs in the textile are the shell animals. There are 2 horses [not shown], 2 hybrid animals: a bird and a horse or dragon, 2 scorpions: 1 male and 1 female. This is a spectacular textile! As it is very long, it would look splendid on a long staircase or elsewhere in your home. The ikat holder is not included in the price.

Product #205
Size: large [115 x 22 in.]
$290 + Shipping $21 = $311


This weaving is from Sumba, Indonesia and features 2 intricately woven fish. However, the blue and orange colours have been added by dyes after the weaving was completed – Still, it is a handsome piece of weaving.

Product #207
Size: [48 x 17 in.]
$95 + Shipping $21 = $116






These 2 weavings are from Indonesia. The one on the left features a man and the one on the right is a pleasing abstract design. The weaving of the man has 2 quite intricate design blocks beneath his feet [not shown] [7 x 4 ½ in.].

Product #210
Size: [46 x 13 ¼ in.] man
$95 + Shipping $17 = $113

Product #211
Size: [48 x 14 ¼ in.] abstract design
$80 + Shipping $17 = $97


This weaving is from Indonesia and features a pleasant abstract design. The ikat holder is not included in the price.

Product #214
Size: [41 x 22 in.]
$55 + Shipping $18 = $73


This very attractive red and white runner was hand woven in Sumba. It features charming stylized horses and geometric designs. Although this is a finely textured and authentic weaving, the blue sections have been added by a dye later rather than been woven into the original design.

Product #215
Size: [54 x 15 in.]
$90 + Shipping $17 = $107

SOLD

This large quite beautiful textured weaving from Sumba features stylized large and small birds plus interesting abstract and geometric designs. The ikat holder is not included in the price.

Product #216
Size: [53 x 23 in.]
$95 + Shipping $18 = $113


This very unusual runner from Sumba features stylized skulls [remember that the people were head hunters in the past], people, birds and abstract designs.

Product #217
Size: [57 x11 ½ in.]
$65 + Shipping $17 = $87


WEAVINGS FROM LAOS

Weaving is one of the most famous art forms in Laos. These weavings were purchased from a women’s co-op near Luang Prabang. Of course all the women were interested in selling their weavings, but as soon as I entered into serious bargaining with one woman, all the other women kept quiet and carried on with their weaving. Obviously the co-op had some rules! I have some pictures if the weaving co-op.

NOTE: The hand carved wooden holders are not included in the price.

This beautiful red, gold and black weaving with abstract designs from Laos can be use as a hanging, a runner or a very large scarf. The ikat holder is not included in the price.

Product #219
Size: [81 x 15in.]
$80 + Shipping $18 = $98

SOLD


This richly coloured geometric designed weaving from Laos can be used as a hanging, runner or a very large scarf. The most dominant colour in this weaving is wine, and the colours are richer than appear in this photo. The ikat holder is not included in the price.

Product #220
Size: [81 x 15 ½ in.]
$75 + Shipping $17 = $92

SOLD


This brightly coloured geometrically designed weaving from Laos, has black borders and can be used as a wall hanging, runner or scarf.

Product #221
Size: [81 x 16 ¾ in.]
$75 + Shipping $17 = $92

SOLD


This geometric designed weaving from Laos has wine borders and can be used as a wall hanging, runner or large scarf.

Product #222
Size: [81 x15 in.]
$75 + Shipping $17 = $92

SOLD


This geometric designed weaving from Laos is much more attractive than it seems in the picture. The red is quite bright, and the designs are in silver, black and grey with touches of gold. It could be used as a wall hanging, runner or scarf. The ikat holder is not included in the price.

Product #223
Size: [66 x 17 in.]
$60 + Shipping $17 = $77

SOLD


Again, this picture does not do justice to this beautiful subtly coloured fair heavy weaving from Laos. The geometric designs are woven in gold thread on a black background and have highlights of red, green and blue. As the weaving is extremely long, it could be cut into 2 panels for wall hangings, runners, curtains or cushions. The ikat holder is not included in the price.

Product #224
Size: [108 X 15 in.]
$125 + Shipping $19 = $144

SOLD


This very intricately geometrically designed weaving from Laos has wine borders. It would make good runner or scarf or wall hanging. The ikat holder is not included in the price.

Product #225
Size: [67 x 14 in.]
$65 + Shipping $17 = $82