The head section features buketan (bouquet) patterns that were popularised by European makers as early as the 19th century. The ship motifs stamped on the badan (body) reflect a batik trend of illustrating modes of transportation in this period, including aeroplanes and bicycle, that exemplifies the wearers’ or makers’ fascination with modern objects. Batik makers created designs that not only responded to shifting tastes of consumers, but also that of fellow batik businesses. Pieces from coastal regions such as this especially feature designs of various cultural influences due to exchanges with trading communities.
