Hi Jon
Examples of the Bengkulu textiles that Jungleboy is referring to are posted elsewhere on the 'Forum' on page 4 of the discussion on palepai:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1805&hilit=lampung&start=45Your textile is a version of a tampan, from a southern Sumatran Malay ethnic group, or perhaps Chinese Malay. As is evident from the examples referred to above, it was at least used as a food covering if nothing else. Not a pillow or pillow end. Ive seen similar ones to yours labelled from Palembang, so its possible this style was widespread amongst Malay or Malay Chinese in the southern Sumatran ports. The style is also similar to tirai and other wall hangings made in Lampung and probably elsewhere in Sumatra.
Id say pre-war, without dating it further. If you look at the back of it you might get a further clue - these are usually backed with old batik or European print fragments which seem to have been applied at the time of construction. The strips of silver-wrapped thread along the edges that Sue refers to were also widely used for Palembang pelangi. Perhaps, like the gold-wrapped thread, they were imported from China. Maybe somebody could help with literature on this subject?
Chris