SARONG
Java, 1930s-60s
Textile
Collection of Asian Civilisation Museum
2007-00208
Gift of Anne Soh Gwek Shin
This sarong would have been worn by a nyonya (Peranakan woman) under a kebaya. It features a large floral bouquet in the dark green central panel and a lattice design on the rest of the body. The design structure a wide central panel framed by narrower borders is distinct to batik sarongs worn by the Chinese and European communities in Singapore. Nyonya style sarongs are know for their bright and colourful designs, made possible by chemical dyes imported from Europe in the 19th century. :