This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Calligraphic Limar Cloth

Location:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Holding Museum:

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

About Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Date of Object:

Hegira 13th-14th century / AD 19th-20th century

Museum Inventory Number:

1998.1.4074

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Twill Woven Silk Limar Long Cloth

Dimensions:

220 x 73cm

Period / Dynasty:

Terengganu Sultanate

Provenance:

Terengganu, Malay Peninsula

Description:

Silk limar cloth; predominantly blue & red. White calligraphic pattern on blue ground on the central compartment & stylised motif of bamboo shoots (pucuk rebung) & geometric patterns on red ground (punca kain) at each end of the sarong. Identifiable words: 'La Ilaha Il Allah' - There is no God but Allah & Muhammadur Rasul (Allah) - Prophet Muhammad is His Messenger. Calligraphic pattern suggests it was not worn as a garment. Perhaps utilised in ceremonial practice such as coffin cover etc.

Click here to watch a video presentation of this artefact.

Selected bibliography:

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Tradition & Continuity, Kuala Lumpur: IAMM Publications, 2013: 54.

Citation of this web page:

 "Calligraphic Limar Cloth" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;my;Mus21;49;en

MWNF Working Number: MY1 49