NATIONAL COLLECTION X MUSEUM MARTKET NOREN

SARONG

Indonesia, early 20th Century

cotton (drawn batik), synthetic dyes

Collection of Peranakan Museum

2018-00873

This sarong (tubular skirt) is decorated with peonies grouped together in a bouquet, with birds and butterflies flying around them. The buketan/bouquet motif reoccurs throughout the textile and was a design popularised by Eurasian batik marker, Eliza Van Zuylen. This sarong would have been worn with an open jacket with V-shaped lapels known as the kebaya.

SARONG

Pekalong, Java

Late 19th or early 20th century

Textile

Collection of Asian Civilisations Museum

1997-03174

Gift of Mr and Mrs Andy Ng

This sarong would have been worn by a nyonya (Peranakan woman) under a kebaya. The decoration features large floral bouquets with butterflies and birds. Nyonya-style sarongs are known for their bright and colourful designs, in shades of orange, yellow, pink and mauve, made possible by chemical dyes imported from Europe in the 19th century.