Early to mid- 20th century

Man's Mantle (Hinggi)

The virtuoso weavings of the island of Sumba are valued as signs of wealth and used at ceremonial gift exchanges and funerals. Warp-ikat mantles, or hinggi, are woven in pairs; men wear one piece as a shoulder drape and the other as a loincloth. This hinggi is from the Kodi area at the far western tip of Sumba, where the textiles typically feature small geometric designs, including omega motifs that represent mamuli, the traditional feminine ear ornament.