Javanese, Java

The designs on these two square textiles are variations on the semen style. This Central Javanese style incorporates mountains, temples, plant tendrils, small birds and animals, and the single-wing (far) or wings-and-tail (sawat) motifs that refer to a mythical bird, the garuda. These elements are combined by batik artists in a seemingly endless variety of compositions. Semen compositions were originally reserved for use only by the Central Javanese nobility.