Title
Batik sarong
Year/Period
Early–mid 20th century
Region
Java, Indonesia
Material
Dimension
Object size: 108 x 101.5 cm
Accession No.
2007-00194
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Ms Anne Soh Gwek Shin in memory of Mdm Koh Suat Neo, 2007
This sarong would have been worn by a Nonya (Peranakan woman) with a tunic (kebaya). It features a large floral bouquet in the pink central panel (kepala) while the rest of the body (badan) is decorated with floral motifs. The design structure of a wide elaborate kepala and field framed by narrow borders was the hallmark of batik cloths of the Chinese and European communities. Nonya style sarongs are known for their bright and gaily coloured designs. In the early 20th century, sarongs became increasingly popular compared to the skirtcloth (kain panjang) as the former could be worn more tightly.
