Investigation
Visual Observations:
Overall Image of the Tampan
Areas where points 1 and 2 are observed
1. Stains and creases present.
2. Fading on lower half, possibly from improper storage and display conditions.
Under high magnification microscopic analysis:
3. Holes and missing parts detected. Frayed edges suggest that it has been subjected to pest attacks.
Area where point 3 is observed.
Microscopic images of insect damage.
4. Man-made cuts and holes detected. Uniformly straight and neat weave-ends on edges, suggest that the missing areas had been cut with a sharp tool.
Area where point 4 is observed.
Microscopic images of man-made cut.
Textile fibre identified. Microscopic images show flattened, ribbon-like threads typical of cotton.
Weave structure determined. Hand-spun cotton used in ‘supplementary weft’ weaving technique; and red patterns created by additional horizontal floating weft over beige ground weave.
