An archipelago-wide collection of

antique and modern Indonesian ikat textiles

The Pusaka Collection has an exclusive focus on ikat textiles from Indonesia, aiming to show some of the finest specimens from the archipelago. Our collection is modest in size, but most of our cloths are of museum quality. Among them are some very rare pieces - such as a 'great parade' patola, one of less than ten known specimens in the world, old ceremonial sarongs from the tiny island of Raijua, exquisite late 19th C silk ikat heirlooms from Bangka, geringsing from Bali, and pieces from remote islands such as Pantar and Ndao. The collection spans the entire arch of the Indonesian archipelago, from Sumatra in the West till Timor in the East. We have chosen to present the collection island by island, but you may also browse around at random, using the Gallery or the access points above. For those unfamiliar with ikat textiles, we recommend the menu option 'What is ikat?'

Information on age, provenance, and type of yarn used are provided for each cloth. Extensive efforts have been made to provide correct descriptions: usually based on a combination of local information, desk research, consultation with Indonesian, European and US experts. References to literature have been given where cloths in our collection showed remarkable similarity, or to resolves issues of origin.

Where uncertainties crop up (Indonesian textiles are notoriously hard to date, and in a few cases even hard to place) we indicate the probable margin of error. This applies equally to our antique and vintage ikat cloths, and to our collectable contemporary pieces. If you notice errors, or can contribute knowledge on certain cloths, e.g. more specific information on origin, tribe, pattern, or tradition, please click on the 'ADD NOTE' button at the bottom right hand corner of the respective page. Your contributions are very welcome.

The Pusaka Collection is not a business, but a private collection, built up over decades by purchases on the islands and from dealers and auction houses around the world. Occasionally, pieces are traded or sold to provide funds for new purchases, where it is our aim to showcase both the stylistic diversity between the islands and their intimate interwovennes. Though we feel that we have the Indonesian archipelago and its ikat tradition fairly well covered, we are still open to the acquisition of new pieces that can enrich the collection in terms of geographical spread.

This website, which is expanded over time in a continuous process of enrichment, also aims to serve the textile loving community as a clearing house for information on Indonesian ikat. We specifically invite you to visit the Collections and Literature pages - and to suggest additions. Any information that can enrich this clearing house is much appreciated.