Sarong c. early 20th century

This sarong was carefully woven by an anonymous maker, and shows the skill and labor involved in textile production. The material is cotton, which would have been grown, spun into thread, and dyed, all before the weaving could even begin. Look closely, and you can see that the pattern isn't printed, but carefully built up through the process of resist-dyeing; sections of the warp threads were bound and dyed before weaving, creating the intricate motifs and bright colors we see here. The weaver then had to meticulously align the dyed threads on the loom to bring the pattern into focus. The weight and drape of the cotton, the texture of the weave, and the striking colors all speak to the artistry involved. Appreciating this sarong means recognizing the countless hours of skilled work, and inherited cultural knowledge that went into its creation, bridging the perceived divide between craft and art.