Lower Body Wrapper (kain panjang) with Design of Graduated Bands of the Sri Sadono “Broken Dagger” Motif on a White Background

This striking batik is designed with varying widths of the classical Central Javanese pattern of parang rusak (broken dagger). The central band is the narrowest, with 10 bands moving outward in either direction with increasing width. In Surakarta, where this textile was made, diagonal bands typically run from upper left to lower right, as seen here. At one time, the widest bands were reserved for the sultan, while his family members and high court officials could wear narrower bands. The special name given to this batik is parang rusak Sri Sadono latar putih, meaning “Sri Sadono’s broken daggers on a white background.” The artist named the batik after his adopted grandson, Sri Sadono. When Sri Sadono recovered from a serious illness, Go created this beautiful batik in honor of this miraculous event.