NTB Museum Receives Rare Lombok Pesujudan Fabric from Australia
The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) State Museum has marked another milestone in international cultural diplomacy.
Two rare collections, estimated to be more than 100 years old, were handed over by Australian collector Michael Abbott to the Head of the NTB State Museum in Adelaide, Australia, on Tuesday, November 19, 2025.
Ahmad Nuralam, Head of the NTB State Museum, received the donation during a diplomatic cooperation visit between the NTB State Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA).
“We received the donation of two items, the Lombok pesujudan fabric and a document/drawing (tangkepan) concerning traditional medicines,” Nuralam said after the handover at Abbott’s residence in Adelaide.
Pesujudan fabric is a traditional Lombok ceremonial cloth, historically used in religious and cultural contexts, particularly during acts of devotion or ritual prayer.
The acceptance of the donation was witnessed by AGSA Director Jason Smith, curators Russell Keit and James Bennet, and an international curator of Islamic art.
Nuralam emphasized that the event represents a breakthrough in the exchange of cultural information and highlights the museum’s role in engaging with international collectors. He added that further research will be conducted immediately as a follow-up to the donation.
James Bennet, International Curator of Islamic Art, praised the initiative as evidence of NTB’s growing cultural diplomacy.
“This pesujudan fabric is very worthy of being displayed in the NTB Museum,” Bennet remarked.
The cooperation between the NTB Museum and AGSA will continue with the preparation of a historical fabric book, sponsored by Abbott, and joint seminars scheduled for July 2026 in both Australia and Lombok.
This donation underscores the NTB Museum’s role as a bridge for cultural diplomacy while strengthening the region’s position in the international cultural arena.