Offering cloth (lamak) illustrating the Mahabharata

Lamak were hung vertically to adorn household altars and outdoor shrines during daily or special religious observances. Used as offerings, they usually contain one figure drawn from the many characters in the traditional stories. Here Arjuna is shown meditating in preparation for leading his Pandawa family against the Korawa family. Buleleng cloths are characterized by their fine stitching, use of silk rather than cotton threads, the use of bright colors, and embellishments of sequins and silver and gold threads that create a dazzling effect.