Javanese batik piano runner for the western market, 1915. Long narrow cotton rectangle, batiked with a repeating pattern of garuda bird wings against a densely patterned ground of plant forms. Triple borders on all four sides:geometric, scrolling vine, and outer border of plain dark blue. 47" L x 6" W. Original cataloging identifies the design as "Pesi keorsen." brown and indigo blue, white details. Price listed on the catalog card as: 6F., $2.40. An example of the use of traditional Javanese technique and patterning for a form meant for the European or Western trade. One of 22 finished batik textiles, together with 14 process samples, made by prisoners in Java for exhibition at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. Purchased by the US National Museum for the Division of Textiles from the Netherlands East Indies Commission at the close of the Exposition.
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