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The ancient history
of textiles tends to be sketchy because fabrics disintegrate
in time and from weather. The exact origins of batik are uncertain.
Fragments, probably of Indian origin, have been found in first
century Egyptian tombs. One theory is that batik existed -
and may have originated - in Asia and then spread to the Malaysian
area. Examples of eighth century batik screens, probably Chinese,
are preserved in Japan's Nara Museum.
Whatever its origin,
batik was a highly accomplished art form in Java and Bali
by the thirteenth century as a pastime for fine ladies. The
hand decorated fabrics first appeared in costumes of the aristocracy
and were soon used in clothing worn by the entire court.
Specific, readily
recognizable motifs, patterns and colors developed. Often
one design identified one family or an area. Javanese batiks
were soon introduced to Europe where industrialists attempted
to produce imitation batiks on a large scale, but found the
cost prohibitive.
Today, the trend
is to decorate the fabric any way the artist envisions; to
apply design by any method, traditional or innovative, and
even depart from standard procedures. Batik today is used
for clothing, hangings, furnishings, relief and stuffed sculpture.
It is no longer considered a "pure" art but one
which can be combined with other media and methods. The driving
force for the artist is to apply the technique for the end
desired, rather than allowing the technique to control the
artist as an end in itself.
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