Coat c. 19th century

This vibrant coat, created by an anonymous artist, invites us into the complex world of cultural identity. The intricate ikat patterns, rich with symbolism, suggest the coat was more than mere clothing, perhaps a symbol of status, or a garment worn in ceremony. We can imagine the artisan, steeped in tradition, carefully hand-dyeing each thread, creating a tapestry of colors and shapes that tell a story. The coat, in its very form, challenges the divide between the practical and the sacred, between the individual and the community. How does it feel to think about the lives and traditions embedded in its fibers? How might it feel to wear it? To be wrapped in a history so rich and complex?