INDONESIAN TEXTILE/WHAT KIND OF TECHNIQUE ?

[asomotif]

I received a old piece of textile as a gift, it looks indonesian in style.

Does anyone know what kind of technique this is ?
It is in a very bad condition.
I am sort of nervous to even unfold it...

[A. G. Maisey]

Looks like batik to me.

[asomotif]

It is not batik as I know it.

Here is a close up of the textile.

It looks like some kind of canvas base whihc is light / colourless,
on top of which lays a very fine and fragile layer. maybe silk ?
on this top layer there is a gold paint, which really looks like a painted / printed layer.

[A. G. Maisey]

I believe we need to consider the fabric that holds the pattern, separately to the light 'canvas' underlay.

You mention silk and you mention the application of gold. Both silk and gold (prada/prodo) are used in some types of batik.

I suggest that you study the actual pattern under magnification and strong light and see if you can determine the process that was used to create it.

The thing is this:- we have drawing processes, printing processes and weaving processes that can be used to create such a pattern. It certainly does not appear to be woven. Is it printed or is it drawn? Magnified examination will probably tell you what you are looking at. If it is drawn directly and coloured directly onto the fabric, then it is not batik, if it appears to be the product of the wax exclusion process then you ask if it is cap or tulis, and again, magnified examination may provide you with a clue. Perceived age appears to exclude machine production.

[asomotif]

Here a close up.
To me it appears to be painted / printed on top of the fabric.
definately not an ikat / wax technique.

What do you think of the style of the painting ? could it be of any historic value ?

[A. G. Maisey]

I'm sorry, I do not have sufficient knowledge in this specific field to offer a valid opinion.

[Athanase]

For me, the decorations were hand painted on the fabric.
Whenever I saw (on the internet) fabrics with this type of painting the provenance was always Bali.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, quite probably Balinese in style.

Have a look at the paintings on the ceiling of the Palace of Justice in Klungkung, if you scroll down you'll see them. The paintings depict the rewards awaiting those who transgressed in this life, once they make it through to the other side. The Balinese do scary pretty well.

https://www.google.com/search?q=palace+of+justice+klungkung&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjz29un8evbAhUJurwKHYSuAq8QsAQIPQ&biw=1280&bih=910