Cloth, Batik

Kain Panjang

Traditionally, a batik pattern contained meaningful symbols that were to be transferred to the wearer, such as this kawung, which is named after a palm kernel. The pattern promises fertility, as the kernel symbolizes the beginning of life. The kawung pattern is one of the “forbidden patterns”, i.e. wearing this batik was reserved for royal families and the nobility, with the exception of the palace in Yogyakarta. There, the pattern was reserved for servants.

This batik comes from the collection of the Austrian composer with the artist name Linda Bandara-Hofland. The real name of this almost forgotten Austrian composer, who was born in Java, was Sieglinde Leber. She was the daughter of Dr. med. Johann Leber and Maria Antonie, née Teutschmann, and was born on 15.5.1881 in Kendal, Semarang (Indonesia) and died on 20.6.1960 in Vienna.

Her relationships with the Sultan of Yogyakarta and the aristocracy of Java gave her access to the orchestras employed at the various Central Javanese courts, which had previously been reserved exclusively for members of the court. Thanks to her good connections, she obtained extravagant batik fabrics, some of which were only worn at court.

Between 1929 and 1942, Linda Bandara lived in Wassenaar (Netherlands), Vienna and Yogyakarta. In 1936 and 1937, her composition “Ländlichen Stimmungsbilder”, characterized by Javanese influence, was often heard on the radio (ORF) in an interpretation by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. After the death of her husband in 1942, she moved permanently to Vienna, where she lived through the Second World War.