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From Java, Indonesia early 20th century AD
Length: 264.000 cm
Width: 105.000 cm
Gift of C.H. Beving
Ethno 1934.3-7.29
Africa, Oceania, Americas
Pattern
Batik sarong
This beautiful sarong is made to be worn tied round the waist. It is hand decorated with batik, a technique introduced from Java. The word 'tik' means 'to dot' in Javanese. A wax pattern is painted on, then the material is dipped in a coloured dye. Dye cannot take hold on wax and so the pattern remains. This is then repeated using different colours.
This design uses a geometric pattern with plant and animal motifs. The large wings stand for Garuda, a hawk-man from Hindu myth. Look closely for plants and other animals hidden in the pattern.