This cotton ikat hinggi, a traditional man's mantle, originates from the island of Sumba, Indonesia, during the 1970s or 1980s. Measuring approximately 95 inches by 48 inches (241 cm x 122 cm), the textile adheres to the customary Sumbanese method of construction, consisting of two separately woven sections meticulously hand-stitched together along a central vertical seam.
The hinggi is a prestige garment, typically worn in matched pairs—one wrapped around the hips and another draped over the shoulder—at important ritual ceremonies such as marriages and funerals. The bold patterns are created using the warp ikat technique, where the warp threads are tied with resist-material and dyed before weaving to produce the signature "blurred" edges of the motifs. Traditional palettes often feature deep indigo blue and a characteristic rust-red known as kombu, derived from the roots of the Morinda citrifolia tree. This piece remains in excellent condition.