Woman's head shawl of brocaded ikat with a warp of plum-coloured silk, and silk weft threads dyed before weaving with the various colours. Brocaded patterns at the ends and sides are rendered in gilt-paper thread. The weft-dyed colouring gives the pattern a 'run' effect. The pattern is carried out in white, blue, green, orange, red and brown-dyed silks with a repeating design of vertical stems of flowers alternating with undulating feathery leaves. The deep brocaded panel is the same at each end and is formed by a band of 'tumpals' and trees above a symmetrical pattern of rows of rosettes and stars separated by diagonally-arranged leaf-forms. A band of gryphons and roses runs above the tumpals. Edging the ikat field is a triple row of small rosettes. Enclosing the whole shawl is a border consisting of five fillets of floral devices and a chevron-motive. Woman's head shawl of brocaded ikat silk, Seremban, Malaysia, early 19th century