Batik Pesisiran

A fusion of cultures in a dazzling fabric!

By Museum Batik Indonesia

Straatgezicht op de pasar in Jogjakarta (1890 - 1900) by Céphas, KassianRijksmuseum

Batik Pesisiran

It is a batik that developed in the coastal region. Pesisiran batik has diverse motifs and colors as it is a fusion of various local and foreign cultures.

KITLV A1350 - Boten aan de pier bij Toeban (1920/1921) by Dr. W. Th. de VogelMuseum Batik Indonesia

The coastal area is the forefront of the archipelago that made contact with foreign nations, such as the Dutch, Arabs, Chinese and Indians. Various foreign cultures have influenced the art of batik.

Batik Tulis Buketan Latar Kawung (1930) by -Museum Batik Indonesia

Batik Pesisiran generally depicts natural beauty such as flora and fauna. Each region has a distinctive motif inspired by its surrounding environment.

Batik Pesisiran is worn as daily clothing in the form of long cloth (jarik), sarong, kemben, headband and shawl. Batik cloth is worn by various members of society, from aristocrats to merchants.

Kain Sarung 410 (2000) by UnknownMuseum Batik Indonesia

Batik-producing coastal cities include

Cirebon, Indramayu, Garut, Pekalongan, Lasem, Madura, and Jambi.

Batik Mega Mendung (2010) by Ninik MasinaMuseum Batik Indonesia

Batik Cirebon

Cirebon used to be a major port and trade route for India, Arabia, China and Europe. One of the Chinese cultures that influenced Cirebon batik is the Mega Mendung motif, depicting rain-bearing clouds that symbolize fertility and life.

Kain Panjang Kepala 2 Sisi-33 (1900) by UnknownMuseum Batik Indonesia

Batik Indramayu

Indramayu has unique motifs including Kapal Kandas, Sawat Riweh, Iwak Entong, and Si Juring. Indramayu also has the Complongan technique, which is to create a background of dots on the motif by sticking needles in the tembokan section of the batik process.

Batik Tulis Merak Ngibing (1980/1980)Museum Batik Indonesia

Batik Garut

Garut batik is known for its simplicity of motifs and bright yellow color (gumading). One of the popular batik motifs from Garut is Merak Ngibing, which depicts the beauty of a peacock's tail as its decorative piece.

Kain Panjang 670 (1960) by unknownMuseum Batik Indonesia

Batik Pekalongan

Pekalongan is a creative and innovative batik center, known as the "Batik City". The signature motifs of Pekalongan batik include Jlamprang, which has been used as a street name in Pekalongan. Another uniqueness is the use of diverse and lighter colors.

Batik Tulis Prosesi AdatMuseum Batik Indonesia

Batik Lasem

Lasem, a district in Rembang, has distinctive batik motifs including Latohan, Gunung Ringgit, Kricakan, and Tiga Negeri motifs. Lasem is also heavily influenced by Chinese culture, which can bee seen in the motifs such as Phoenix, Kilin, and Dragon, and uses red color.

Kain Sarung 591 (1990) by unknownMuseum Batik Indonesia

Batik Madura

Madura, an island in the North of East Java, has distinctive batik with bright and striking colors such as red, green, yellow and orange. Madura is also famous for its batik coloring technique by soaking the cloth in a clay barrel or called Gentongan batik.

Kain Panjang Kepala 2 Sisi-58 (1920) by UnknownMuseum Batik Indonesia

Batik Jambi

Batik Jambi has received many cultural influences due to trade relations from other regions such as Indramayu, Cirebon, Lasem, Tuban, and Madura. Typical Jambi batik motifs include Durian Pecah, Angso Duo, Kacapiring, Batanghari, Tampuk Manggis, Kapal Sanggat, and others.

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Batik Pesisiran

It is a batik that developed in the coastal region. Pesisiran batik has diverse motifs and colors because it is a fusion of various local and foreign cultures. Batik-producing coastal cities include Cirebon, Indramayu, Pekalongan, Lasem, Indramayu, Madura, and Jambi.

Credits: Story

Syakur, Afif. 2019. Batikku, Afif Syakur. Yogyakarta: Paguyuban Pecinta Batik Sekar Jagad.

Djoemena, Nian S. 1986. Ungkapan Sehelai Batik It's Mystery and Meaning. Jakarta: Djambatan.

Judi Achjadi (editor). 1999. Batik: Spirit of Indonesia. Yayasan Batik Indonesia.

Wronska-Friend, Maria. 2016. Batik Jawa Bagi Dunia "Javanese Batik to the World". Komunitas Lintas Budaya Indonesia.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Museum Batik Indonesia

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum

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