Patola

(Glossary Term)

“Patola” (singular: patolu) refers to luxurious and brilliantly colored silk trade cloths made primarily in Gujarat, India, using the double-ikat technique. Although originally intended for the Indian market, patola became important export items to Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, where they were highly valued as heirloom items. Printed cotton imitations of silk patola were also significant exports and can be found among Indonesian heirloom objects. The designs of patola were widely imitated and reinterpreted in Indonesian weavings.