A comprehensive and richly illustrated survey of batik, a glorious textile art and popular Indonesian cloth.
Every aspect of batik is rich in symbolism: its colors, motifs, and designs, as well as the way it is made, folded, and worn. Formerly a family and tribal signifier, and then a symbol of Indonesian independence and identity, [...]

Batik occupies a special position in Indonesia’s history and culture. The extraordinary photographs of cloths and prints in this book demonstrate why batik is the stuff of textile legend. These 71 batik designs, taken from the collection of famed dealer Rudolf G. Smend, date from 1880-1930, a time still considered batik’s golden age. Complementing [...]

The exotic textiles of Java have intrigued the outside world for the past 150 years. Batik, the legendary fiber art of painting and dyeing fabrics using a waxing process, has been influenced by cultures as diverse as the Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, and English. Like no other book before it, Batik takes the [...]

With over 17,000 islands and 300 ethnic groups, Indonesia is the perfect candidate for an Insight Guide. Filled with gorgeous color photographs, an emphasis on history and culture, and detailed descriptions of principal sites, this book is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to the world’s largest archipelago. The country’s motto is “Unity [...]