Preamble
For your interest, I have listed below, other posts on this blogspot that centers on the use of Batik to create artworks:
Nothing Is The Same I & II (Els van Baarle, The Netherlands)
Batik ArtCloth from South-East Asia
Batiks from Kintore
Batiks From Warlpiri
Historical Israeli Batik ArtWorks
A Brief History of Batik
A History of Javanese Batik - Hindu Influence
A History of Javanese Batik - Islamic Influence
Influences on Classical Batik Patterns [1]
In batik there are numerous patterns which all have a name and special significance. In the main these patterns were influenced by the following categories.
Interweaving: This is one of the oldest techniques of Indonesia still use today. Everyday objects are plaited from many types of grass, leaves and fibers. Here the geometric ornamentation is the most important element of construction. The influence of intertwining technique on batik patterns can be clearly seen in the imitation of intertwined patterns. See the images below.
Plaited tobacco pouch 1 from Tasikmalay, West Java (Indonesia).
Plaited tobacco pouch 2 from Tasikmalay, West Java (Indonesia).
Detail of a kain panjang with imitation interwining pattern.
Weaving: Weaving, which is technically and artistically highly developed in Indonesia, shows its influence in the ikat techniques of the different islands. Depending heavily on the old cinde patterns, batik patterns arose with short, wide lines so typical for that weave.
Indian patola cloth with eight-rayed leaves and flowers, exported to Bali.
Detail of a kain panjang imitation weaving pattern.
Hinduism: Hinduism produced wayang (puppet) figures and the wing motifs. These wings, with or without the widely fanned tail, symbolise Garuda, a mythical bird on which Vishnu, one of the Hindu gods, rides. Many floral and animal motifs also date from this time.
Area pattern with garis miring motifs, here with the udan liris motif (light rain). From the collection of M. Spée.
Islam: Islam discredited the wayang figures, very popular in the 16th century, as it forbade the depiction of life forms. Thereupon new patterns arose, made up of geometric motifs. Geometric shapes were used in single motifs as well as over whole areas. The use of diagonal stripes over whole areas also began in the 17th century.
Ntik area patttern, here with tirtateja motif. Detail of a kain panjang.
Semen pattern. Detail of a kain panjang.
China: When Chinese migrants arrived on the north coast of Java, many of them owned small batik workshops since the last century. In these workshops very colorful articles of clothing are made for the use of their own ethnic group. The cloud and rock motifs, as well as gammadion or banji motif can be traced to even older Chinese influences.
Detail of a kain panjang, using cloud motif of Ceribon, on the north coast of Java and shows the Chinese influence.
Area pattern of banji or gammadion motifs.
Europe: Europe, and particularly Holland in the 1900s, had a significant influence on batik patterns. At that time several Indo-European women began to make patterns for their own workshops. A well known example of this is Mrs. van Zuylen, who conducted special batik courses in Pekalongan. Her delicate flower patterns with daisies and lilies were very popular.
Detail of a kain panjang with flower pattern by Mrs. van Zuylen. This batik was worked in her workshop at Pekalongan.
Reference:
[1] M. Spée, Traditional and Modern Batik, Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst (1982).
For your interest, I have listed below, other posts on this blogspot that centers on the use of Batik to create artworks:
Nothing Is The Same I & II (Els van Baarle, The Netherlands)
Batik ArtCloth from South-East Asia
Batiks from Kintore
Batiks From Warlpiri
Historical Israeli Batik ArtWorks
A Brief History of Batik
A History of Javanese Batik - Hindu Influence
A History of Javanese Batik - Islamic Influence
Influences on Classical Batik Patterns [1]
In batik there are numerous patterns which all have a name and special significance. In the main these patterns were influenced by the following categories.
Interweaving: This is one of the oldest techniques of Indonesia still use today. Everyday objects are plaited from many types of grass, leaves and fibers. Here the geometric ornamentation is the most important element of construction. The influence of intertwining technique on batik patterns can be clearly seen in the imitation of intertwined patterns. See the images below.
Weaving: Weaving, which is technically and artistically highly developed in Indonesia, shows its influence in the ikat techniques of the different islands. Depending heavily on the old cinde patterns, batik patterns arose with short, wide lines so typical for that weave.
Hinduism: Hinduism produced wayang (puppet) figures and the wing motifs. These wings, with or without the widely fanned tail, symbolise Garuda, a mythical bird on which Vishnu, one of the Hindu gods, rides. Many floral and animal motifs also date from this time.
Islam: Islam discredited the wayang figures, very popular in the 16th century, as it forbade the depiction of life forms. Thereupon new patterns arose, made up of geometric motifs. Geometric shapes were used in single motifs as well as over whole areas. The use of diagonal stripes over whole areas also began in the 17th century.
China: When Chinese migrants arrived on the north coast of Java, many of them owned small batik workshops since the last century. In these workshops very colorful articles of clothing are made for the use of their own ethnic group. The cloud and rock motifs, as well as gammadion or banji motif can be traced to even older Chinese influences.
Europe: Europe, and particularly Holland in the 1900s, had a significant influence on batik patterns. At that time several Indo-European women began to make patterns for their own workshops. A well known example of this is Mrs. van Zuylen, who conducted special batik courses in Pekalongan. Her delicate flower patterns with daisies and lilies were very popular.
Reference:
[1] M. Spée, Traditional and Modern Batik, Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst (1982).
