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Batik
Detail
Lower body wrapper (kain sarong)
Batik
Indonesian (Javanese)
Dutch colonial rule
early 20th century
Object Place: Java, Indonesia
Medium/Technique
Cotton, natural dyes; plain weave, hand-drawn (tulis) wax-resist (batik)
Dimensions
107 x 212 cm (42 1/8 x 83 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Denman Waldo Ross Collection
Accession Number11.1315
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionMan's or woman's rectangular cotton batik lower body wrapper (kain sarong) with overall design in central field (badan) of "broken knife" (parang rusak) pattern in brown and dark blue on a natural ecru ground. At one end is a broad panel (kepala) of dark blue with scattered flower bouquets in brown, blue and natural ecru. There is a scalloped floral border along one side and a narrow straight border with scrolling leaves along the other.
The parang design is one of the "forbidden" patterns originally restricted to use by the aristocracy at court.
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