730. Old Central Javanese Batik

Batik Head Cloth (Iket Kepala)

The unusual design on this batik shows repeated kampung (village) scenes of village housing, rice padi fields and sitting platforms amid palm trees and other vegetation. The central square (tengahan) has been left blank, a feature of some central Javanese batiks.

Head cloths such as this example usually were worn by Muslim men, or used as handkerchiefs or key holders by married women.

The condition is good – there are only a few age-related insect holes.