1989.41 Tubular skirt (sarong)

Two flowering lotus trees associated with the tree of life decorate the body (badan) of this sarong. One is upside down, allowing the garment to be worn in either orientation. Birds, butterflies, and peacock couples fill the space. According to Chinese belief, peacock pairs refer to wedding and marriage. The snake-like form along one side is a common dowry motif in Peranakan Chinese batiks and relates to Chinese and Javanese concepts of water and prosperity. 

Rows of triangles and diamonds filled with flowers, plants, and birds constitute the elaborate design of the head (kepala). It was developed by the Peranakan Chinese workshops along the north coast specifically for Peranakan Chinese clients. It became fashionable to wear the intricately designed head of the sarong displayed in front. 

Slight differences in the recurring images indicate that they were probably hand-drawn. The blue and green colors were also hand-applied with synthetic dyes. 

Cirebon: TGN: 7018012

birds (animals): AAT: 300266506

birds (motifs): AAT: 300375751

butterflies (general): AAT: 300417320

diamonds (motifs): AAT: 300009791

flowers (plants): AAT: 300132399

lotus (motif): AAT: 300165258

marriage (social construct): AAT: 300055475

peacocks (birds/animals/pavo genus): AAT: 300250082

plants (living organisms): AAT: 300132360

sarongs: AAT: 300209928

trees (plants): AAT: 300132410

triangles (polygons): AAT: 300009806

weddings (ceremonies): AAT: 300069158

workshops (organizations): AAT: 300026026

PROVENANCE 
By 1989: George Kent Watters, Los Angeles

1989: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from above 

The main source for this provenance is the letter from Linda Ledford of the Dallas Museum of Art to George Kent Watters, dated June 30, 1989, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file. 

Apply to objects where number equals 1989.41