Handwoven Indonesian Ikat Textile, Ming Dynasty Frescos Lead Brunk Auctions’ Emporium Auction

An early to mid-20th-century Indonesian woven Ikat textile is leading the upcoming Emporium Auction, presented by Brunk Auctions. The Ikat mat has a purple background with coral, blue, and beige figural and geometric designs. The available Ikat textile has designs influenced by imagery from Western flags, pictures, and coins. The lower edge carries Western-inspired figures in red, blue, and beige striped borders. This is a fine example of Indonesian hand-woven cotton textiles. Indonesia’s relationship with cotton fabric is strong, long, and dispersed. Across the 17,000 islands of Indonesia, the tradition of Ikat production was perfected over time with regional designs that still exist today. The Iban of Borneo, the Toba Batak of North Sumatra, and cultures throughout Nusa Tenggara – from Flores to Sumba – have a strong warp Ikat tradition.

An Asian artifact to consider in the sale is a five-panel Chinese fresco painting. These frescos, possibly from the Ming dynasty, have multicolored pigment on plaster with raised piped pigment tracing, all mounted on wood boards. They depict celestial beings carrying staves, wearing hanfu, and moving gracefully. Frescoes have existed in China since the Han dynasty, and they have flourished from then on. Chinese frescos are recognized and sought for their artistic merit. Other lots to consider are a late 19th-century Napoleon III ebonized secretaire and a Chinese hardwood apothecary cabinet, possibly from the 19th century. View the complete Emporium Auction catalog and find other online auctions on Bidsquare.