| Most people have heard of Batik but many are not | | | | they are creating original historical forms of batik or not |
| really aware of the process of batik or the history | | | | can only be known by requesting to visit with the artist |
| behind the origins of batik. Batik is an ancient craft | | | | while they are in fact creating. Of course if they are |
| dating back centuries and relates to hand drawing or | | | | carrying out the traditional form of batik you, having |
| hand painting involving wax. Wax-resist dyeing is the | | | | been made more aware of what the art actually is, will |
| definition of the art of historical batik. | | | | be able to immediately tell for yourself if they are |
| Wax is painted on to the fabric and the color is filled | | | | original batik designs or just a very good impression of |
| into the fabric between the wax. The instrument | | | | this ancient art form. |
| stated as used for this particular art form in Javanese | | | | Many Javanese temples also have beautiful stone |
| cultures was called a canting. This is an item in design | | | | statues sculptured on their walls however confirmed |
| similar to a pen that was used to apply the design with | | | | historical proof of these designs being batik is as yet to |
| the wax directly to the cloth. The wax is placed to | | | | be determined. They could in fact have been created |
| stop the color running through to the next color of the | | | | using a weaving technique rather than the traditional |
| design. | | | | batik. No doubt in the future there will be proof of |
| The wax is then later washed from the cloth leaving | | | | these facts and it will be clear which traditional and |
| only the color hence the white lines you will always | | | | historical art form was used in the creation of these |
| see on batik. There are then of course a variety of | | | | amazing designs. |
| designs that are sold as batik but are actually made | | | | It is also said that there were specific Batik designs |
| using more traditional methods and while the look may | | | | that were created for Javanese royalty and these |
| be similar they are not in fact original or true batik. | | | | particular patterns can only be worn by royalty whilst |
| Batik is considered a traditional art in many Asian | | | | other regions in Indonesia offer their own patterns |
| countries. In Javanese the definition of the word Batik | | | | unique to their region. There are others however who |
| is writing with wax. In Indonesia for example there are | | | | deny that batik was meant for royalty alone and that it |
| traditional batik colors mostly darker shades of indigo, | | | | was a form of art created for all people. |
| dark brown, white and violet, which are used in | | | | Thanks to modernization you are easily able to |
| representation of four main Hindu Gods. Other | | | | purchase batik. Whether it is traditional or not you now |
| countries in Asia, as stated, are also traditionally using | | | | have the tools to check for yourself. If the artist is not |
| batik techniques, such as India, Sri Lanka, Iran, | | | | willing to show you how they are creating the designs |
| Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma etc. There are | | | | then it is in all likelihood that they are using a |
| also some West African countries such as Ghana, | | | | modernized form of batik and therefore while still |
| Cameroon and Uganda among others which also use | | | | beautiful you will not be purchasing a traditional batik. |
| batik all of which will be in varying degrees of the | | | | Therefore just because the cost of a particular batik is |
| same original historical form of batik. | | | | perhaps more than another it does not also mean that |
| 1500 years ago you could also find the wax style batik | | | | it is original. |
| cloth in Egypt and the Middle East. Today you will find | | | | Ask the artist to show you their work space and see |
| that Batik is a more commercial form of artwork often | | | | for yourself whether you are getting the real thing. If |
| on sale in tourism rich countries for purchase by | | | | you find you are not do not despair you will come |
| travelers. Almost all Asian countries will be offering up | | | | away with a wonderful piece of art work either way |
| modern and traditional designs of batik and you will be | | | | to add style and flair to your home just don’t go |
| amazed at what there is available however whether | | | | passing it off as an original batik! |