stage of manufacture (batik)

Square, unhemmed fabric sample of handmade batik cloth from Java, Indonesia. Cotton. Diagonal bands with a scalloped edge in brown with white circle shapes and dark leaf shapes. Each band is seperated with a row of brown diamonds set on a dark background. Same pattern printed on the reverse with bands running in the opposite direction.
Accompanying label reads 'This batik cloth comes from Solo and Jogyakarta in Java, where the very finest batik is produced. The design is made by fist waxing with a copper stamp - a "cap", as in the photo. The cloth is then dyed in indigo, rewaxed, and dyed in soga - a brown dye. The whole process can take several days and involves many specialist skills. The ten designs are all well-known, traditional Javanese designs. The cloth should be hand-washed in warm water the first few times'

Collection Information

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