In 1989 I worked in Central Java for several months, during this time I became fascinated by Cap Batik.
There are several different ways of making batik, this webpage concentrates on making batik using stamps to apply the wax. A "cap" is a stamp. "Cap batik" is a stamp for making batik, as opposed to "batik cap" which is batik made using "cap". In Bahasa Indonesia the "c" is pronounced as "ch". These cap are made from hundreds of pieces copper arranged to create a picture or pattern. The cap are a work of art in themselves. The cap are dipped into hot wax and stamped on to the material in the same way one might use a rubber stamp and ink pad. The material is then dipped into dye. The dye stains the cloth except where the wax has been stamped, as the dye can not penetrate. The cloth is then washed to remove the wax and is left with an unstained pattern which replicates the cap. This is the basic process, it may be complicated by repeated waxing and dyeing with other colours to create more complex patterns and colours. |
Birds and a Butterfly
Bird of Paradise & a Fighting Cock These blocks are approximately 20 x 13 cm, (8" x 5"). |
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Bird Cap This bird is approximately 23cm, (9"), top to bottom. Butterly Cap This butterfly is one of my favourites. This cap is approximately 20cm, (8"), wide. |
A Floral Cap Flowers are one the most popular themes for cap. This block is approximately 15 x 13 cm, (6" x 5"). |
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Some patterns are primarily geometric. This block is approximately 18 x 18 cm, (7" x 7"). |
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Bull's Head This block is approximately 18 x 18 cm, (7" x 7"). |
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Borders For borders there are cap which are stamped so that they join together to give a long linear pattern. These cap are approximately 20cm, (8"), wide. |
This picture shows a quarter of a table cloth produced using cap batik. |
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Another quarter of a table cloth produced using cap batik. |
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or 'canting' before dyeing, but that is another story :-) |
Retainers with batik sarongs at The Kraton |
Copyright Peter Loud 1970-2015
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