30/01/2026
This book is a highly respected resource on Indonesian textile arts, often considered a definitive visual guide for collectors and enthusiasts.
Core Book Specifications
Title: Tenun: Handwoven Textiles of Indonesia
Publisher: Cita Tenun Indonesia (CTI) in collaboration with Tuttle Publishing / Periplus.
First Published: 2010 (Jakarta), with a wider international release in 2011.
Editor/Author: Edited by Sian E. Jay; Preface/Foreword often credited to Okke Hatta Rajasa (Chair of CTI).
Format: Hardcover, approximately 192 pages.
ISBN-13: 978-6029747300
Content & Themes
The book acts as both a historical record and a celebration of contemporary craftsmanship. Key sections typically include:
Historical Context:
Traces the origins of weaving in Indonesia back to the Neolithic period (around 300 BCE) and how it evolved through trade influences from India, China, and Europe.
Visual Symbolism:
It explains how to "read" the motifs. These textiles aren't just decorative; they often denote social status, provide protection, or play roles in sacred rituals.
Regional Highlights:
Sumatra: Famous for gold-threaded Songket.
Bali: Renowned for the rare and complex Geringsing (double ikat).
Nusa Tenggara (Sumba/Flores): Known for bold Warp Ikat featuring animal and ancestral figures.
The Weaving Process:
Detailed photography showcasing the "backstrap loom" and the laborious process of natural dyeing.
Collector’s Value
Because this was produced by Cita Tenun Indonesia (a non-profit dedicated to textile preservation), it contains high-quality archival photographs from private collections and museums that are rarely seen elsewhere.
Rarity: It is frequently out of print or only available through specialized Asian art bookstores.
Market Price: Depending on condition, used copies often retail between $120 and $180 USD on the secondary market