Batik is one of the techniques used to preserve the cultural philosophies of Papua. Stamped batik has become increasingly popular in Papua in promoting local motifs.
Historically, Toraja had a fabric resist dyeing technique that used rice paste (ma’a cloth) instead of hot wax. Toraja culture is rich with ornamental patterns that later is translated into batik patterns.
A distinct style found in Tanjung Bumi, ‘tase’ means the sea. Accordingly, light blue is the primary color used, usually applied with the gentongan coloring technique (vat dye).
Madurese batik usually has very dense patterns, seen here is a pattern which resembles a stacked surau roof (a small mosque) that is bordered by geometric shapes.
Lokcan was the term for ‘silk scarf’ in the north coast of Java during early 20th century. Common patterns are: cotton owers, vines and phoenix which are usually in toast-like brown. Displayed is the Tuban lokcan on hand woven cloth, in indigo.
For this type of batik, the parang (dagger) pattern is combined with nitik, produced by using a square-edged canting, thus creating an e ect that looks like tenun (weaving).
For this design, the kawung pattern acts as the background, and the main decorative motifs are the peksi piningit (bird) and eight star pattern, which symbolize the Yogyakarta Court.
Sawat (tail and wing) and lar (main wing) represent the Garuda, an animal from ancient Hindu mythology. this type of decor was exclusively used for the king and the royal family.
In the late 1800s, the famed batik artisan Puri Mangkunegara had a batik workshop that was managed by Mrs. van Gentsch Gottlieb. This pattern was one of the patterns that came as a result of the batik center.