Sumba pahikung cushions

This striking pair of cushions is made from a vintage Sumba sarong. The textile is hand woven in a technique called pahikung which refers to the supplementary decorative warp. The pattern is a classic geometric repeating gecko or lizard which would be typically worn by a woman of high social status. The ability of the lizard to shed skin and regrow body parts represents rebirth and rejuvenation. The cotton yarns dyed with natural colours from the morinda root and a relative of turmeric. The colours are black, browny pink, and yellow, with ochre and green added afterwards. The backs of the cushions are also part of the sarong. There are zip fasteners and feather pads.