This sarong would have been worn by a Nonya (Peranakan woman) with a tunic (kebaya). It features vertical stripes decorated with bird and floral motifs in the central panel (kepala) while the rest of the body (badan) is decorated with large floral bouquets. The design structure of a wide elaborate kepala and field framed by narrow borders was the hallmark of batik cloths of the Chinese and European communities. Nonya style sarongs are known for their bright and gaily coloured designs. In the early 20th century, sarongs became increasingly popular compared to the skirtcloth (kain panjang) as the former could be worn more tightly.
