Indonesia, Batak Ulos: Colorful hand woven beaded shoulder cloth from the Batak people, Sumatra. This piece is quiet lively and complicated with gold treads, and large “Rasta” colored diamond patterned warp embroidered bands. The “Dame Madi Hita” is Batak language and is embroidered on both sides of the center which refers to a blessing bestowed by the giver to the recipient. Ulos cloths play an important role in Batak communities in that they are ritually used to express affection and sincerity between people thus strengthening social and family bonds. This kind of Ulos is called a “sadum” and is used by the Southern Batak group who live around Lake Toba. This piece is made with mercerized cotton using chemical dyes. Not a particularly old piece circa 1980 at best. d 2.13m x 77cm. 2.13m x 77cm