Ceremonial Textile (Tampan)
Late 19th century
Four panels joined; cotton, gilt-metal strip, silvered-paper-strip wrapped silk, plain weave with supplementary patterning and brocading wefts; stitched together with pineapple fiber
75.2 × 240.7 cm (29.6 × 94.8 in)
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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026
Discussion
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
Ceremonial textiles like this one—called tampan —were used in rites of passage and as wrappings for ritual gift exchanges. The images of ships that appear on these fabrics were considered symbolic of transitions, evoking vessels that ensured safe conduct from one phase of life to the next. This example features depictions of a European ship, rather than one that would have been used in the region; the reason for this unusual choice is unknown.
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