stage of manufacture (batik)

Square, unhemmed fabric sample of handmade batik cloth from Java, Indonesia. Cotton. Dark blue background with tiny taupe dots and a central taupe floral pattern, with taupe decoration of intersecting diamond shapes with a 'twisted' edge and swirl-pattern middle.
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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