Author: Bea Brommer, 1979, 158pg (Dutch). Softcover
Publisher: Het Spectrum BV, Utrecht, Netherlands
The catalogue was issued in conjunction with the exhibition Travels through the Dutch East Indies, held at the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, from 22 March to 2 June 1979. The illustrations reproduced in the volume derive from the museum’s own collection.The book organizes its presentation thematically across several chapters. The opening chapter examines Batavia (present-day Jakarta), followed by a discussion of slavery and the hierarchical relations between enslaved individuals and their masters. Subsequent sections trace journeys across Java, explore the authority of the Sultan and his subjects, recount maritime voyages to surrounding islands, and conclude with depictions of Borneo and Sumatra. Overall, the work offers a vivid portrayal of life in the Dutch East Indies during the nineteenth century. For historians, it provides a valuable overview of social, cultural, and political conditions in the region, serving both as a visual record and as a contextual framework for understanding colonial society.
Author: Bernard Bart, 2006, 132pg. (Indonesian). Softcover
Publisher: Studio Songket ErikaRianti, Padang, West Sumatra
The volume constitutes a curated compilation of scholarly essays authored by specialists in the domain of Minangkabau traditional textiles. It encompasses critical discussions on Minangkabau motifs and their underlying philosophical significance, a curator’s reflective commentary on strategies for revitalizing Songket, followed by an exploration of the role of Minangkabau Songket within the context of globalization. Additionally, the collection features an evocative essay entitled Weaving Hopes with Threads, which situates textile artistry within broader cultural aspirations. The Karok motif, a pivotal element in revitalization efforts, is also examined in detail. Taken together, this work represents the author’s inaugural endeavor to reimagine and reinvigorate the tradition of Minangkabau Songket weaving.
Author: Linda S. McIntosh, 2005, 84pg. (English & Thai). Softcover
Publisher: The Jim Thompson Foundation, Bangkok
This book explores a small facet of the rich cultural of Tai speaking peoples living in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. By examining ceremonial occasions and the textiles related to these events, the reader has a glimpse of the complexity and significant role textiles play in society. Textiles not only serve as an important part in gift-exchange such as in weddings, but also assist the souls of the deceased to travel to the supernatural heaven of the Tai belief systems. The exhibition focuses on some shamanic and Buddhist rituals. The reader is allowed to create the motivation and craftmanship involved in preparing the textiles and objects used in various celebrations in Tai life.
Author: Marie Christine Tseng & Edric Ong. Judi Knight Achjadi (editor), 2011, 141pg. (English). Softcover
Publisher: Department of Museums Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
The volume, published in conjunction with the exhibition of the same title, offers a comprehensive portrayal of the Island of Sumba in Indonesia, drawing upon the collection of Marie Christine Tseng and the National Textile Museum in Kuala Lumpur. The author situates Sumba as a locus of enduring traditions, with particular emphasis on Sumbanese attire and the pua kumbu, a textile also prevalent in Sarawak, Malaysia. Through this comparative lens, the book enables readers to discern parallels between the ikats of Sumba, the pua kumbu of Sarawak, and other ikat traditions across Southeast Asia. The practice of ikat weaving in Sumba is deeply rooted in the island’s myth of creation and the origin narrative of the Sumbanese people. Beyond its utilitarian function as clothing, ikat serves as a sophisticated medium of communication. These textiles embody layered meanings of status, wealth, and authority, while simultaneously facilitating interaction with the ancestral realm. Consequently, ikats occupy a pivotal role in funerary rites and remain integral to ceremonial life more broadly.
Author: I Ketut Rupawan, 2008, 132 pgs. (In Indonesian). Softcover
Publisher: Pustaka Bali Post, Denpasar
The saput poleng is a sacred black-and-white checkered textile ubiquitous across the Balinese cultural landscape. Traditionally, the textile is produced in three principal forms, distinguished by their coloration, decorative motifs, and material composition. The arrangement of squares is significant: white squares are intentionally more numerous than black, symbolizing the cultural preference for purity, auspiciousness, and balance. In addition to the canonical ritual forms, contemporary adaptations known as poleng anyar have emerged. These newer models are employed exclusively for decorative purposes and lack the sacral potency of their ritual counterparts.
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