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Lower body wrapper (kain panjang)

Indonesian (Javanese)
Dutch colonial rule
late 19th century
Object Place: Java, Indonesia, Central

Medium/Technique Cotton, natural dyes; plain weave, hand-drawn (tulis) wax-resist (batik)
Dimensions 108 x 275 cm (42 1/2 x 108 1/4 in.)
Credit Line Denman Waldo Ross Collection
Accession Number11.1296
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsCostumes

DescriptionMan's or woman's rectangular cotton batik lower body wrapper (kain panjang) with an overall design of alternating bands of diagonal "broken knife" motifs (parang rusak) and bands of small diamonds in brown and dark blue on a natural ecru ground.

The parang design is one of the "forbidden" patterns originally restricted to use by the aristocracy at court.
ProvenanceDenman Waldo Ross Collection; gift of Denman Waldo Ross to the MFA on May 4, 1911