BORNEO

Indonesian art gallery

The History of Batik
Where does the word batik come from? There are several theories on the origins of this craft.
Though the birthplace of batik in unknown, the medium has reached its highest form on the island
of Java where all aspects of the art form have religious and historical significance. The word
batik occurs in Javanese as Ambatik, which actually means drawing and writing. Batik has
evolved around the principle that wax and water repel each other, therefore an area of fabric
that has been covered with wax is unable to accept dye. The Indonesian word "tik", meaning a
drop (referring to the small drops of hot wax), shows how the word batik was derived.
Batik is a very ancient craft dating back at least two thousand years. Batik
has been continuously practice in Java for centuries. It was around 1500
that travelers first brought back tales of highly artistic batik fabric on which
people worked for months on end. At the close of the last century the
technique was introduced to European arts and crafts. Batik has even more
enthusiasts today because it produces excellent effects.

It can be defined as a method of applying a colored design on to textiles by waxing those parts
that are not to be dyed. Evidence of its practice has been discovered in most Eastern and Middle
Eastern countries including India, China, Japan, Persia and Egypt, but although its actual source
is unknown, it was on the island of Java in Indonesia that the art reached its peak development.
Through the centuries Javanese craftsmen have perfected the art, reflecting the culture and
religion of their country in the richness of colors and the detail of the designs on their fabrics.
These traditional designs have been passed on from one generation to another and are mainly
based on the flora and fauna of their surroundings and this form of expression adapts to society
now as easily as it did many years ago.
Clothes worked in batik are represented frequently in classical literature of Java. Any mention
of magnificent dress always signified batik work. Batik apparel was formerly the clothing of
aristocracy. The peasant woman wove the cloth but the lady did the batik. She had time to spare
and hers was the gentle hand needed for the work, while the servants attended to the household
duties.
Just as the Japanese lady concocts artistic floral arrangements so, even today, the educated
Javanese does batik on fabrics, and in this she develops a highly artistic sense. The stylized
designs include the native flora, butterflies and birds of paradise. Moreover, these ladies are
able to work their individual designs harmoniously into an extensive piece of work.
top batik catalog
WWW.BORNEOGALLERY.CH