Author: Unknown, no year, no pagenumbers. (Indoneisan & Javanese) Softcover
Publisher: P.T. Solo Murni, Surakarta
The book presents a comprehensive profile of Panembahan Hardjonagoro, illuminating his formative years, familial lineage, and distinguished contributions to Javanese cultural heritage. It highlights his dual expertise as both a batik artisan and a keris connoisseur, underscoring his pivotal role in preserving and advancing traditional Indonesian artistry. In addition, an insightful essay authored by Rustopo supplements the narrative, offering further contextual analysis and nuanced perspectives on the life and legacy of this eminent maestro of batik. This expanded portrayal not only situates Hardjonagoro within the broader historical and cultural framework of Java but also emphasizes the enduring significance of his craftsmanship. His mastery of batik and keris is depicted not merely as artistic practice, but as a profound embodiment of cultural identity, aesthetic philosophy, and spiritual symbolism.
Author: Mrinalini Sarabhai, 1988, 64pg. (English). Softcover
Publisher: Grantha Corporation, New Jersey, USA
The catalog was published in conjunction with an exhibition entitled “The Voyage of a Cloth”, held at Bank Duta, Jakarta, from 27 January to 2 February 1988. Iwan Tirta created the exhibition, and Jasleen Dhamija provided the captions. This catalog has become a reference book for Indian Trade Cloths in the archipelago.
Author: Lesley S. Pullen, 2021. 308pgs. (English). Softcover
Publisher: ISEAS Publishing - Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
A substantial corpus of free-standing figurative sculpture from Java, dating between the 8th and 15th centuries, depicts garments adorned with highly elaborate textile motifs. These extant works—executed in stone and metal—exhibit considerable variation in scale and condition, and are distributed across archaeological sites and museum collections both within Indonesia and internationally. The island’s equatorial climate has precluded the survival of textiles from this period; thus, the sculptural representations of patterned fabrics constitute an indispensable proxy for reconstructing the material culture of dress. This study advances the argument that such representations provide a rare and critical lens through which to apprehend the aesthetic and technical sophistication of textiles circulating in Java during this era. The present volume contributes to the historiography of Southeast Asian textiles by offering the first comprehensive catalogue of this sculptural corpus. It further develops a typological framework that systematically classifies the textile patterns represented, thereby facilitating comparative analysis across chapters. The author’s extensive regional expertise, combined with sustained collaboration with local communities and scholars, underscores the timeliness of this work. Beyond its art-historical significance, the study foregrounds urgent concerns regarding the preservation of these sculptures and the cultural contexts in which they were produced, exchanged, and utilized. The inclusion of detailed drawings enhances the interpretive dimension of the text, providing visual clarification that will serve scholars and students in art history, religious studies, and area studies alike.
Author: John Guy, Theresa McCullough, Ruth Barnes. 2022, 248 pg. (in English)
Publisher: Asian Civilization Museum, Singapore.
The book, inspired by the 2012 exhibition titled “Patterns of Trade: Indian Textiles for Export,” explores the history of textile production in South Asia, including trade in southern and southeastern Asia, as well as Japan, from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century. This long-awaited work features over 150 early Indian textiles, with 70 pieces showcased in the original exhibition. "Patterns of Trade" is an excellent reference for scholars studying early Indian trade cloths
Author: Diep Trung Binh, 2003, 127pg. (Vietnamese & English). Softcover. Both volumes in sleeve
Publisher: Na Xuat Ban My Thuat, Hanoi, Vietnam
The first volume, distinguished by its green front cover, contains the accompanying textual analysis and explanatory commentary that correspond to the illustrations and figures presented in the second volume, which is marked by a red cover. Together, these two volumes form a complementary set: the former providing interpretive context, while the latter offers the visual material essential for a comprehensive understanding of the work.
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