Batik Sarong

Stamp print, blue and white diamond pattern

This sarong is perfect example of a batik cap (stamped) textile.  The design was created by repeatedly stamping a natural fabric (such as cotton or silk) with a wood and metal stamp called a tjap or cap (pronounced and sometimes called a chop). This tool consists of intricately shaped thin copper strips welded or soldered onto a metal framework with a handle (often featuring wooden elements or gripped via a handle). Artisans dip the tjaps into molten wax to quickly and repeatedly stamp geometric or floral designs onto fabric.

The dense geometric field belong to the broader Indonesian batik tradition of geometric patterning, in which small, repeated units are transformed into a continuous field. Geometric motifs can carry associations with order, balance and harmony.

The stamped melted wax blocks out specific patterns or areas, preventing dye from penetrating those sections. The fabric is then dipped into successively darker dye baths. This process of waxing, dyeing, and dewaxing can be repeated in layers to create vibrant, intricate multicolored designs.

  • An Indonesian sarong is a traditional tube-shaped garment made from brightly colored fabric, usually silk, cotton, or rayon. It is wrapped around the lower body by both men and women and tucked or tied at the waist. The garment is deeply rooted in Indonesian culture, serving as everyday clothing, ceremonial attire, and a versatile household item.

 

  • Title: Batik Sarong

  • Date: 1996

  • Geography: Java, Indonesia

  • Medium: Cotton

  • Dimensions: H. 78 in.  W. 41.25 in.

  • Provenance: Purchased in Yogyakarta (or Jogja), Indonesia

  • Inventory Number:  IND.09