The main motif on such cloths is always a 'ship of the dead', such as we already came across on the bronze kettle-drum from Hanoi and which can also be found elsewhere in Indonesia - for example, amongst the Dayaks, who, however, draw it on bast, or ornament bamboo receptacles with it. The image of the ship is obviously intended to express the idea that the soul of a deceased person can only be conveyed to the 'land of souls by ship. But the renderings of the ship of the dead are remarkably different on the fabrics from Kroe.

There are all manner of subsidiary motifs, such as human figures, buffaloes, fish, birds, and trees of life. The human figures show a distinct affinity with the Style of wayang figures in Hindu Java (ef. section of wayang purwa) It is not ruled out that this indicates Javanese influence, exerted after the 14th century. This hypothesis is also supported by other motifs such as the sunshade.

The textiles from the mountain village of Tenganan Pagringsingaii on Bali, already referred to above, deserve special mention. The tie dyeing method on both warp and wefts employed - a technique to be found nowhere else in Indonesia except in this one village. All the women participate in weaving these fabrics. At regular evening gatherings held in an appointed place the girls practice the arts of spinning, weaving and ikat work.

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