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This rare ceremonial breastcloth, intended for girls and belonging to the royal family of Surakarta, is a remarkable piece crafted with intricate details. Hand-drawn batik and natural dyes were used to create a golden brown parang suli batik design, encircling a plain red silk applique diamond with a scalloped outline. Its inner border features cream mounds adorned with three-leafed sprigs, while the outer border boasts outlined cream flowers in the tritik pattern regulon against a dark blue background.
Such breastcloths, with silk appliques over the central reserved diamond, were exclusive to the wives and close relatives of the Sultan. This specific parang suli motif, characterized by its refined and restrained form with three tiny dots, holds significance as one of the quintessential Hindu-Javanese batik patterns, particularly used for court batik.
This piece is in perfect condition, appearing hardly worn, with no stains, holes, or tears. The natural indigo and soga dyes used in the batik remain rich and vivid—a rarity for soga, known to fade with light exposure. The imported red silk retains a dark, soft cranberry hue with a fine, glistening sheen. Moreover, the cotton used is of the highest grade, exceptionally soft to the touch. Measuring 41 inches by 18 inches (104 cm x 46 cm), this breastcloth embodies exquisite craftsmanship and historical significance within the royal lineage of Surakarta.