↗Indonesia, Sumatra, Lampung, 19th century · 1800s
Tampan Pasisir (Ship Cloth)
Creator not recorded
Gift of Mrs. James J. Tracy · The Cleveland Museum of Art
Image: public domain (CC0) · Museum record & image source ↗
Indonesia, Java, North Coast, mid-19th century · mid-1800s
Sarong
Creator not recorded by the museum
- Date
- mid-1800s
- Medium
- Cotton: plain weave, wax-resist dyed (batik)
- Dimensions
- Overall: 106 x 192.4 cm (41 3/4 x 75 3/4 in.)
- Country / context
- Indonesia
- Movement / tradition
- Southeast Asian arts
- Collection
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Pathway
- Southeast Asian arts ↗
FROM THE MUSEUM
Batiks made in the North Coast region of Java, specifically in Pekalongan, were influenced by both Indian and European motifs due to the Dutch presence in Indonesia. In this sarong we see a mixture of Indian and European flowers including jasmine, lilac, and daffodil. Batik is a wax-resist dyeing technique used throughout Java. Hot wax is applied with a tool known as a canting and a design is hand drawn with incredible skill. This sarong was then dyed with indigo, a well sought after and culturally important natural dye. Areas on the fabric with wax will not accept the indigo dye, hence the term wax-resist.
Collection text · The Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0A MOMENT TO LOOK
Start with what you can see: shapes, surface, colour and scale. How might the listed materials affect the way this object was made and experienced?
Looking prompt · an invitation to observe, not a historical interpretation.
