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Unknown

Skirt Cloth (kain panjang) with Traditional Semen Design with Garuda Wings

1900

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Unknown

Skirt Cloth (kain panjang) with Traditional Semen Design with Garuda Wings

1900

Physical Qualities Cotton with batiked indigo, brown and white design, 41 x 92 in. (104.1 x 233.7 cm.)
Credit Line Gift of Martha Custis Peter, Baltimore
Object Number 2008.38
Long rectangular skirt cloth or "kain panjang" with overall traditional batiked pattern in indigo blue, rust brown, and white on plain-woven cotton. This appears to be a design from central Java as there are no end panels and no borders. The pattern is of the semen class, which depicts a sacred mountain theme with birds, many plants and small shrine huts. The semen design is associated with fertility. This example also has Garuda wings, representing an eagle. The batik pattern was printed with a block or "tjap." All sides have a narrow unprinted area around outer edges. The back and front are alike (common to batiks).
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2008; Martha Custis Peter, Baltimore, by gift from aunt; Agnes Mott Peter, by purchase, 1930s

Inscribed: Selvedge marked "NJODDJIEM JAN A[MEASAWA?]"

Maker

Unknown

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