Floating Threads: Indonesian Songket and Similar Weaving Traditions

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking artistry and royal history of Indonesian textiles with Floating Threads: Indonesian Songket and Similar Weaving Traditions! Written by the renowned cultural historian and textile expert Judi Achjadi, this beautifully photographed reference book offers an exhaustive study of the supplementary weft technique—popularly known as songket—where gold, silver, or colorful threads are intricately woven into base fabrics to appear as if they are floating across the surface. The volume traces the historical roots, royal patrons, and regional evolutions of this exquisite craft across the Indonesian archipelago—from the magnificent heritage of Palembang and Minangkabau in Sumatra to the unique styles of Bali, Lombok, and beyond. Featuring high-resolution close-ups of rare museum textiles, the book decodes the deep symbolic meanings behind geometric and floral motifs while documenting the painstaking handloom techniques preserved by master weavers. It stands as an indispensable masterwork for textile collectors, anthropologists, art historians, and anyone passionate about Southeast Asian material culture.