Batik from Solo and Yogyakarta

A woman who draw batik motif on Mori

From kingdoms in Solo and around Yogyakarta in 17th until 19th century, batik was widespread, especially in Java island. Initially, batik was just a hobby from the king's families. But in the further development, by the peoples, batik was developed to become trade commodity.

Batik from solo is famous in traditional style and  traditional pattern in stamped batik nor written batik. Materials that was used to colouring still use domestic product like Yellow Flamboyant (Peltophorum pterocarpum) or in Indonesian called "Soga Jawa" which has been known long ago. The patterns was same, between "Sidomukti" and "Sidoluruh".

The history of batik making in Yogyakarta was known since the first Mataram kingdom, governed by Panembahan Senopati as a king. Territory of the first batik making was located in Plered village. Batik making at the time was limited in palace families that was done by the woman maids. From here, Batik making was widespread to another palace families like courtiers and their wife also soldiers. In kingdom official ceremony, palace family, man or woman, use clothes, combined with batik and lurik. So, when the peoples came to palace and of course the peoples was interested in clothes that was used by palace families. In a very short time, the peoples imitate those clothes and at the end, process of batik making was widespread outside of palace's wall.

As a result from the wars at the past between kingdoms nor with dutch colonial, most of king families fled and stayed in new territory such as Banyumas, Pekalongan, east Ponorogo, Tulungagung and many more. Based on the development of Indonesian struggle history, region of batik making start to widespread at 18th century. Palace families who fled has significant role in spreading of batik making to all corners of Java island and it was developed based on the natural on that area.

At Diponegoro war where Prince Diponegoro fought against dutch colonial was pushing the prince and his families also his followers to leave kingdom territory. Then, they moved to the east and west. Then, in the new territories, the families and the followers of Diponegeoro Prince developed batik. 

To the east, Batik from Solo and Yogyakarta flesh out batik style that already exist in Mojokerto also Tulungagung. Moreover, it spread into Gresik, Surabaya, and Madura. To the west, Batik's development is widespread in Banyumas, Pekalongan, Tegal, and Cirebon.

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Great Batik Pekalongan, Designs, Motifs, and Patterns

Sarong Van Zuylen

Eliza van Zuylen is a batik maker legend in Indonesia. She is a Dutch woman. Eliza van Zuylen lived in Indonesia arround 1863 - 1947 when Dutch were colonizing Indonesia.

Dutch batik came into being & developed between 1840 & 1940, almost always in the form of a sarong and initially made only for the Dutch & Indo Dutch Eurasians, and primarily in the coastal region (Pekalongan).

Batik Tiga Negeri ( Three Country Batik)

Batik Tiga Negeri is a batik which was colorized in three cities: red in Lasem, blue in Pekalongan, and sogan in Solo. These three cities were called countries(negeri) because they have autonomy government when Netherland colonialism was happening in Indonesia.

Eliza Woman's Sarong

This batik design was made by Eliza van Zuylen. Eliza van Zuylen lived in Indonesia arround 1863 - 1947 when Dutch were colonizing Indonesia.

Kedungwuni Batik: Dewa-Dewa (Gods)

Dewa-dewa (Gods) is a batik motif from kedungwuni, a small area in Pekalongan. This motif was inspired by wayang (puppet shadow).

Batik Primisan

It is called Primisan because use Primis cotton as material with pattern motif.

Batik Pattern: Obar Abir (Zigzaged)

The width zigzaged lines were arranged to a horizontal which's one of pattern came down. The green parang motif & flower filled the grounds. Both of end were decorated by grasshopper teeth or brawn background.

Batik Motif: Garuda (Eagle)

Garuda (eagles) is flying above bouquet. Eagle is state symbol of Indonesia

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