Loincloth Collection (#9)

Murals from the Tombs of the Kings at Thebes, discovered by G Belzoni, 1820-1822. Plate 6 from Plates Illustrative of the Researches in Egypt and Nubia by Giovanni Battista Belzoni

Natives of South Pagai Island, Nassau Group, off Sumatra, 1902. Artist: Cecil Boden Kloss
Natives of South Pagai Island, Nassau Group, off Sumatra, 1902. From The Living Races of Mankind, Vol. I. [Hutchinson & Co, London, 1902]

Native sawyers, India, c1927-c1931 Artist: Cavanders Ltd
Native sawyers, India, c1927-c1931. Detail from a stereoscopic card issued with Army Club cigarettes

Summer evening meal at a hotel, Hiroshima, Japan, 1904. Artist: Underwood & Underwood
Summer evening meal at a hotel, Hiroshima, Japan, 1904. Stereoscopic card. Detail

Japanese man with a tattooed back, 1895. Artist: Charles Barbant
Japanese man with a tattooed back, 1895. From The Universal Geography with Illustrations and Maps, division XIV, written by Elisee Reclus and published by Virtue & Co. Limited (London, 1895)

Young Talamancas Indians, Central America, c1890. From Universal Geography, Maps & Illustrations, Vol XXXIV, Virtue & Co Limited, (London, c1890)

A Malayta chief, Solomon Isles, 1922. Artist: CW Collinson
A Malayta chief, Solomon Isles, 1922. Illustration from Peoples of All Nations, Their Life Today and the Story of Their Past, volume II, British Empire to Dahomey, edited by J A Hammerton

Grief for the dead shown by hempen halters, New Guinea, 1922. Artist: Thomas McMahon
Grief for the dead shown by hempen halters, New Guinea, 1922. Illustration from Peoples of All Nations, Their Life Today and the Story of Their Past, volume II, British Empire to Dahomey

Young Iban or Sea Dayaks people in gala attire, Borneo, 1922. Artist: Dr Charles Hose
Young Iban or Sea Dayaks people in gala attire, Borneo, 1922. Illustration from Peoples of All Nations, Their Life Today and the Story of Their Past, volume II, British Empire to Dahomey

Bassoutos, South Africa, 19th century. Artist: St de Dree
Bassoutos, South Africa, 19th century. Group portrait of some Basotho people

Study for the St Sebastian, 1913. Artist: Anthony van Dyck
Study for the St Sebastian, 1913. A print from The Art of the Great Masters, by Frederic Lees, Sampson Low, Marston and Co, London, 1913

Kroomen, 19th century. Kroomen were West African fishermen recruited as sailors by the Royal Navy in the 19th and early 20th century

The King of Cochin riding on an elephant, attended by his Nayro s, c1745. Illustration from Thomas Astleys A New General Collection of Voyages and Travels; consisting of the most esteemed relations

Native of the Papua Islands, c1840. Artist: J Bull
Native of the Papua Islands, c1840. A man from Papua New Guinea. Engraving from the Natural History of Man by J Bull, (London, c1840)

Natives of Tilcopia, c1850. Artist: James Prichard
Natives of Tilopia, c1850. Inhabitants of the Solomon Islands. Engraving from the Natural History of Man by James Pritchard, (London, 1855)

A Savage of New Caledonia, southwest Pacific, 19th century

Calvary, 16th century. Artist: Master of Brunswick
Calvary, 16th century. Master of Brunswick (active ca. 1480-1510). Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

The Crucifixion, 1637. Artist: Charles le Brun
The Crucifixion, 1637. Le Brun, Charles (1619-1690). Found in the collection of the State A. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow

Saint Sebastian, 1474. Artist: Sandro Botticelli
Saint Sebastian, 1474. Found in the collection of the Staatliche Museen, Berlin

Relief with Soldiers, Temple of Hatschepsut. Located in the collection, Egyptian Museum, Berlin

A Convoy on the Marchand Mission in 1898, (1899). Artist: Henri Meyer
A Convoy on the Marchand Mission in 1898, (1899). The Marchand Mission was an expedition undertaken by French emissary Jean-Baptiste Marchand (1863-1934)

The Marchand Mission travelling from the Congo to the Nile, 1899. Artist: Henri Meyer
The Marchand Mission travelling from the Congo to the Nile, 1899. An expedition by French emissary Jean-Baptiste Marchand (1863-1934)

Inhabitants of Tikopia, 1848. Tikopia is one of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. An engraving from the Natural History of Man, by James Cowles Prichard, published by Hippolyte Bailliere

The Sun God Ra, Boat Scene. Ra is the most central god of the Egyptian pantheon

Model Pikemen, Tomb of Mesehti, 12th Dynasty. Natives of the nome of Asiu, Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Group of Nubian Soldiers, Egypt. Located in the Museum of Cairo, Egypt

Wall Painting, Detail, Servant with Offerings, Chapel of Menna, Thebes

Fisherman, 1828. Artist: Jean Henri Marlet
Fisherman, 1828. A print from L Inde Francaise, 1828. Found in the collection of Jean Claude Carriere

David with the head of Goliath, 1894. Artist: Georges-Auguste-Elie Lavergne
David with the head of Goliath, 1894. Georges Auguste Elie Lavergne was a well known French portrait painter of the turn of the 20th century

The Meditation on the Passion, c1510. Artist: Vittore Carpaccio
The Meditation on the Passion, c1510. The Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon

The Crucifixion, 1465. Artist: Giovanni Bellini
The Crucifixion, 1465. Christ is on the cross with the spear wound in his side. The Virgin Mary and St John the Apostle stand at the foot of the cross. From the collection of the Louvre, Paris

Christ in the Tomb, 1460. Artist: Giovanni Bellini
Christ in the Tomb, 1460. The body of Christ wearing the crown of thorns and showing the spear wound in the side, stands erect in a lidless tomb. From the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, Milan, Italy

The Crucifixion, St Marks Basilica, Venice, Italy

Christ on the Cross, 16th century. From Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis, Portugal

Prayer to the Great Mystery, (Slow Bull), c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Prayer to the Great Mystery, (Slow Bull), c1907. Slow Bull, squatting, wearing breechcloth, holding pipe with mouthpiece pointing skyward, buffalo skull at his feet

Incense over a medicine bundle, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Incense over a medicine bundle, c1908. Hidatsa Indian (Yellow Owl?) kneeling and holding bowl over bundle

Shores of Walker Lake-Paviotso, c1924. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Shores of Walker Lake-Paviotso, c1924. Paviotso man standing on rock, fishing with spear in Walker Lake

The offering-Hu Kalowa Pi ceremony, 1907, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The offering-Hu Kalowa Pi ceremony, 1907, c1907. Teton Indian, Slow Bull(?), holding pipe(?) on skull of bison

Prayer to the mystery, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Prayer to the mystery, c1907. Oglala Sioux man, Picket Pin, wearing breechcloth, holding pipe with mouthpiece pointing skyward, buffalo skull at his feet

Khoisan man of South Africa wearing animal skin, beaded necklace and loincloth.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from Ebenezer Siblys Universal System of Natural History, 1794

MEXICO: AZTEC SACRIFICE. Human sacrifice, after an Aztec Codex

ANCIENT EGYPT: SCALE. Egyptian balance as depicted in a wall painting, c2000 B. C
ANCIENT EGYPT: SCALE. Egyptian balance as depicted in a wall painting, c2000 B.C

An Indian porter carrying a large basket of luggage on his head, India, from a contemporary print, c. 1935; Artwork
An Indian porter carrying a large basket of luggage on his head, India, from a contemporary print, c.1935; Artwork

Jacobs Dream Jacobs Dream Jacobs Dream Jacob
Jacobs Dream Jacobs Dream, Jacobs Dream. Jacob, naked after a loincloth, is sleeping with his hands under his head under scrub. A dog is lying next to him

Peruvian Textiles Mantle Hanging Loincloth Turban
Peruvian Textiles: Mantle or Hanging, Loincloth, Turban, Padded Hat, Band with Tassels, 1200-1460s. Peru, North Coast, Chimu style, 1200-1460s

Loincloth 1200-1460s Peru North Coast Chimu style
Loincloth, 1200-1460s. Peru, North Coast, Chimu style, 1200-1460s. Cotton; plain weave, brocaded and complex alternating gauze with 5 shots of plain weave between gauze shots; overall

Samson pulling down the Temple of Dagon, god of the Philistines, mid 19th century. The Israelite hero Samson, having been betrayed by Delilah and taken prisoner and blinded by the Philistines

Nuptial Chest. 15th century, By Giovanni di Ser Giovanni Lo
Giovanni di Ser Giovanni, known as Lo Scheggia (1406-1486). Italian painter. Nuptial Chest (cassone). In the front, the triumphal entry of Romulus and Tatius in Rome

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"The Loincloth: A Symbol of Cultural Identity and Resilience" Throughout history, the loincloth has been a garment that transcends time and continents, representing various cultures and their unique traditions. From ancient Aztec warriors to indigenous tribes in South America, from religious figures depicted in European art to native fishermen in Hawaii, the loincloth holds a significant place in humanity's diverse tapestry. In Barburdar or punkah wallah communities of India, where men served as fan bearers to keep their masters cool during colonial times, the loincloth was an essential part of their attire. It symbolized both humility and resilience as they endured harsh conditions while fulfilling their duties. Artistic masterpieces like Guercino's "Saint Sebastian" or Hendrick ter Brugghen's "The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John" depict religious figures draped modestly in loincloths. These artworks not only showcase the artists' skill but also highlight how this simple garment can convey profound messages of sacrifice, devotion, and vulnerability. Traveling across continents brings us to Hawaii where native fishermen relied on spears and nets for sustenance. Clad only in loincloths, these brave individuals ventured into treacherous waters embodying strength and connection with nature. From South Africa's Khoisan people donning animal-skin loincloths to Yanomami tribe members navigating through dense jungles clad similarly; these garments represent cultural heritage passed down through generations, and are symbols of identity that connect individuals with their ancestors' wisdom and teachings. Even beyond tribal contexts, historical photographs capture moments such as Apache Medicine Men performing sacred rituals or Veddah men wielding bows and arrows on Ceylon Island (now Sri Lanka). In each instance, the loincloth serves as a reminder of tradition preserved amidst changing times. Java Island showcases yet another facet of this versatile garment.