Library

National and International Publications on SEA Textiles

DEWA YAJNA

Author: Ida Ayu Putu Surayin, 2002. 100pgs. (Indonesian), Softcover Seri III Upakara Yajna
Publisher: Paramita, Surabaya

The third booklet in this series presents a meticulous exploration of the twenty-six banten—ritual offerings integral to the preparation of a Yajna ceremony. The author demonstrates commendable clarity in both textual description and visual representation, ensuring that readers not only grasp the symbolic significance of each offering but also understand its precise composition and arrangement. The inclusion of detailed illustrations enhances the pedagogical value of the work, serving as practical guides for practitioners and scholars alike. One of the booklet’s notable strengths lies in its emphasis on the ingredients required for each offering. By foregrounding the material components, the author underscores the profound relationship between ritual practice and symbolic meaning. This approach situates the text as more than a manual; it becomes a cultural document that preserves and transmits the intricate traditions of ceremonial worship. The booklet is particularly relevant for individuals seeking to specialize in banten paraphernalia, whether for commercial purposes or for organizing ceremonial events dedicated to divine veneration. Its dual function—as both instructional guide and cultural resource—renders it valuable not only to artisans and practitioners but also to researchers interested in the study of ritual traditions and material culture. In conclusion, this booklet succeeds in bridging practical instruction with cultural preservation. It offers readers a comprehensive understanding of the ritual offerings central to the Yajna ceremony, while simultaneously affirming the enduring significance of these practices within the broader framework of religious devotion.

DROMEN VAN HET PARADISE. De Islamitische Kunst van het Museum voor Volkenkunde (DREAMS OF PARADISE. Islamic Art in the Rotterdam Museum of Ethnology)

Author: Many Contributors, 1993, 221pg. (Dutch language). Softcover
Publisher: Snoeck Ducaju, Ghent, Belgium

The volume was published in conjunction with the exhibition of the same title, held at the Rotterdam Museum of Ethnology from 18 December 1993 to 7 January 1996. The book comprises a diverse collection of contributions authored by distinguished scholars. Its contents explore a wide spectrum of subjects pertaining to the Islamic and Arabic cultural spheres. Among the topics addressed are the historical development of the Arab world, the artistry of calligraphic script, the description of an intricately decorated star-tile, the traditions of Islamic mysticism, an Ottoman genealogical scroll, Turkish religious miniatures, exemplars of Mughal art, visionary depictions of the future, Persian textile craftsmanship, ritual objects such as a bowl associated with magical practices, Zar amulets, bridal attire and adornments, Iranian lacquerware, and the historical dynamics of the opium trade.

DUNIA BATIK SEORANG YULTIN (Yultin's World of Batik)

Author: E.A.Natanegara & Judi Knight Achjadi, 2012. 212pg. (Indonesian)
Publisher: Red & White Publishing, Jakarta

The book presents the Batik collection of Mrs. Yultin G. Kartasasmita, one of the past presidents of the Yayasan Batik Indonesia (YBI) or Indonesian Batik Foundation. The author provides an overview of Indonesia's decorative arts from prehistoric times to the emergence of batik. Subsequent chapters cover Mataraman batik, Coastal and Rural Batik, and contemporary regional batik.

EEN KLEUR VAN HEILIGHEID. Wereldbeeld en Kleding van de Baduy. (A SACRED COLOR. WORLD PERSPECTIVE AND TEXTILES OF THE BADUY) - Catalog

Author: Jet Bakels, 1992, 58pg. (Dutch). Booklet
Publisher: Vrienden van het Museon (Friends of the Museon), Den Haag, Netherlands

The exhibition devoted to the Baduy, an indigenous community residing in the secluded highlands of West Java, was held from 20 June 1991 to 5 January 1992. The artifacts presented originated from the MUSEON, an interactive museum dedicated to cultural education. The Baduy maintain a profoundly simple yet resilient way of life, rooted in ancestral traditions and an enduring reverence for the natural environment. Their ethos is characterized by the deliberate rejection of modern technology and commercial practices, thereby preserving a sustainable cultural identity. In addition to the exhibition, the accompanying volume includes a scholarly essay examining the community’s textiles and attire. It explores the symbolic resonance of color within Baduy sacred traditions, elucidating its role in conveying spiritual meaning and cultural continuity.

EEN SCHITTERENDE GESCHIEDENIS. Weefsels en Batiks van Palembang en Djambi (A SPLENDID HISTORY. Weavings and Batiks from Palembang and Jambi) – Catalog.

Author: Rens Heringa, 1993,48pg. (Dutch language).
Publisher: Vrienden van het Museon, Den Haag, Netherlands

The catalogue was produced to accompany an exhibition of the same title, held at the Museon in The Hague from 28 January to 2 May 1994. It showcases a distinguished selection of textiles originating from Palembang—renowned for its resplendent silks interwoven with gold threads—and from Jambi, celebrated for its cotton batiks rendered in vivid hues of blue and red. Where feasible, the motifs are contextualized through social and historical interpretation, thereby illuminating their cultural significance. The works derive from the Museon’s collection, assembled primarily by Dutch civil servants during their tenure in the Dutch East Indies between the early 1900s and 1940.

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