Kompas.com reports that among the museum’s collections is the legendary Three Lands Batik (Batik Tiga Negeri), said to have existed since the 15th century.

Three Lands Batik is a type of batik that uses three colors – red, blue and sogan (deep brown) – each of which is produced in a different region. Lasem is famous for its red dye.

“The museum was established because Lasem owns the history of Batik Tiga Negeri,” the museum's public relations officer, Agik NS, told KompasTravel on Saturday, adding that the museum was offering free entry to visitors until further notice.

Agik said that one of the most interesting pieces in the collection was the draft sketches for Batik Tiga Negeri Tjoa Joana, which was produced as batik by a famous craftsman named Renny Maranatha Ong.

In addition to the Tjoa batik masterpiece, the museum also has a number of Batik Tiga Negeri pieces that are equally priceless, which took three months to produce.

“We can produce 105 lengths of batik from one roll of fabric. The ‘batik-making angels’ have been [utilizing the same methods] for many years,” said Agik.

Visitors to the museum can learn about the many stages involved in the process of producing handcrafted batik, starting from the white base fabric to applying hot wax using a canting (a pen-like bowled copper tool), to dyeing and boiling and, finally, the finished product.

Read also: New technology helps customers identify 'original' batik

Lasem's new batik museum is in a house that was formerly owned by the Tjoa family, upon the permission of the current owner, Rudy Hartono. The Tjoa family is credited for producing Batik Tiga Negeri and raising its popularity.

Batik enthusiasts can visit the museum at Paviliun Omah Batik Tiga Negeri on Jl. Karangturi Gang IV No. 7 in Lasem, Rembang regency. (mut)

Popular

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Analysis: Indonesia denies normalization with Israel to enter OECD

Citroen to produce electric cars in Indonesia