Kemben, breast cloth for royal consort, Yogyakarta, Java. Cotton, silk, wax-resist dyeing, early 20th century
Kemben, breast cloth for royal consort, Yogyakarta, Java. Cotton, silk, wax-resist dyeing, early 20th century
$1.00
Batik breast cloths with applied silk were once worn by royal consorts in Solo and Yogyakarta, Java. Bright-colourd Chinese silk is painstakingly stiched to the cloth, creating a dazzling contrast. This type of traditional textile is now rare and is cherished by collectors even though the silk part usually deteroriates over the years in the tropical climate