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Java | early hand drawn batik waist wrapper
Indonesia, Java, Solo, second quarter of 20th century
Commercial cotton, botanical indigo and soga dyes, batik tulis (hand drawn batik)
A graceful, sophisticated batik, hand-drawn in the court city of Solo and dyed in golden brown botanical soga with indigo accents on a cream ground. The main motif is a floral variant of the slanting parang (knife), one of the most foundational of batik motifs. The gently curving lines of this variant make it resemble a twisting rope rather than a sharp knife. Fine internal dots make the design sparkle: the parang motifs are defined by a thin blue lozenge with an internal row of white dots, and are unusually detailed in soft cream dots known as cocohan, representing padi. The rows of brown parang alternate with cream rows of zigzag vertical lines, creating a balanced movement that is particularly pleasing when the cloth is worn wrapped around the waist in the traditional manner with pleated folds falling at the front.
Context: The central Javanese or classical style of batik developed within and around the courts of the cities of Solo and Yogyakarta, which remain integral to the social and symbolic value of classical batik. The parang motif was one of several that were once restricted to the courts. In contrast to the colourful multicultural designs of north coast batik, central Javanese batik is characterizeed by geometric and abstract patterns executed in a tricolour palette of brown, indigo and white or cream. Solo batik is known for its many different parang designs, this particular shade of soga brown and the fine, detailed quality of its drawing.
Provenance: Estate of Nancy Kott, former head of the Texas Historical Commission, and Curtis Tunnell, former director of Texas State Historical Commission. Purchased at the estate auction.
The waist wrapper is in excellent condition with no stains, holes or tears. The botanical soga has mellowed slightly unevenly over time but remains a warm hue. Photos were taken in daylight, in different conditions. The cotton is medium weight, slightly crisp and quite strong.
233 x 104 cm.
Indonesia, Java, Solo, second quarter of 20th century
Commercial cotton, botanical indigo and soga dyes, batik tulis (hand drawn batik)
A graceful, sophisticated batik, hand-drawn in the court city of Solo and dyed in golden brown botanical soga with indigo accents on a cream ground. The main motif is a floral variant of the slanting parang (knife), one of the most foundational of batik motifs. The gently curving lines of this variant make it resemble a twisting rope rather than a sharp knife. Fine internal dots make the design sparkle: the parang motifs are defined by a thin blue lozenge with an internal row of white dots, and are unusually detailed in soft cream dots known as cocohan, representing padi. The rows of brown parang alternate with cream rows of zigzag vertical lines, creating a balanced movement that is particularly pleasing when the cloth is worn wrapped around the waist in the traditional manner with pleated folds falling at the front.
Context: The central Javanese or classical style of batik developed within and around the courts of the cities of Solo and Yogyakarta, which remain integral to the social and symbolic value of classical batik. The parang motif was one of several that were once restricted to the courts. In contrast to the colourful multicultural designs of north coast batik, central Javanese batik is characterizeed by geometric and abstract patterns executed in a tricolour palette of brown, indigo and white or cream. Solo batik is known for its many different parang designs, this particular shade of soga brown and the fine, detailed quality of its drawing.
Provenance: Estate of Nancy Kott, former head of the Texas Historical Commission, and Curtis Tunnell, former director of Texas State Historical Commission. Purchased at the estate auction.
The waist wrapper is in excellent condition with no stains, holes or tears. The botanical soga has mellowed slightly unevenly over time but remains a warm hue. Photos were taken in daylight, in different conditions. The cotton is medium weight, slightly crisp and quite strong.
233 x 104 cm.
price:
SOLD