Showcasing nearly seventy works, this special issue of Museum Studies explores the E. M. Bakwin Collection of Indonesian textiles, which entered the Art Institute of Chicago in 2002. Lavish illustrations and accessibly written essays introduce readers to a rich variety of ceremonial objects from hangings to sarongs, investigating the sources, motifs, and uses of one of Asia's most spectacular art forms.
Often worn on special occasions or presented as a gift or offering, an Indonesian textile might illustrate its owner's ethnic identity or descent, give spiritual protection, display status, or strengthen alliances. Each piece in the E. M. Bakwin Collection can be read as an image of the local culture that produced it and is full of information on cosmic beliefs, venerated customs, technical expertise, social structures, and trade links. These splendid objects represent the finest examples of Indonesia's textile heritage and evoke the cultural complexity of this crossroads region, which was shaped by influences from China, India, Europe, and the Middle East.