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The word Batik is thought to be derived from the word 'ambatik' which means 'a cloth with little dots'. Although the precise origins of batik are unclear , examples from as long ago as fifteen hundred to two thousand  years have been found in Egypt, China, India and the Middle East; but no other country developed batik into such an art form as that found on the Island of Java, in Indonesia.

This ancient dyeing technique was developed by the Hindus who settled here in Java during the first and second centuries and flourished under the rule of Javanese kings particularly between the the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries. Temple ruins of this period show batik patterns carved into the stone garments of figures.

At first merely a pastime for ladies of the sultan's family batik eventually became a distinguishing part of aristocratic dress since it permitted the display of particular skills in craft, design and colour. A persons rank could be determined by the pattern of batik worn. From the thirteenth century the craft spread from the aristocracy to the whole court. Motifs, patterns and colours came to be distinctively a certain family or area, but certain designs remained the prerogative of royalty. They came to be like a hidden language at court, especially during the Dutch colonisation, when the wearing of a particular batik had a message inherent in it which only the Javanese could understand.

The making of batik, especially canting, is traditionally a sacred function in Java. Although the art form is intricate and the process long and highly skilled, the tools are simple.     

 The canting, believed to be a purely Javanese invention described the use of a little crucible of hot wax - a small spouted copper container with a handle used to draw the design directly onto the cloth.

              Once the wax is cold, the cloth is immersed in the dye which only colours, the un-waxed parts of the cloth. Traditional batik colours are shades of brown and blue.

  The waxed cloth is removed from the cloth and the process is repeated as many times as necessary to achieve the combination of colours and designs unique to each piece.

Batik is very skilled and time consuming and although there have been many outside influences over the centuries such as Chinese, Islamic and colonial, which have produced a richness of variety of designs and colours and the introduction of copper blocks to spread the process and facilitate a higher volume of production, the essence of true batik tulis is still 'KEJAWEN' * (The ideal is the way of the EMPU batik maker, in Javanese the Master who has excellent technical skills, deep philosophical grounding and expert skills in meditative practice which influence how he/she may still approach the creation of sacred motifs and literally keep the spirit alive in batik making.)

* This describes the living tradition of sacred origin in which sacred motifs based on sacred philosophy and connection to the divine principles create worth which is a manifestation of such vibration though the artists spirit.

A finished hand drawn batik sarong on silk

Java Lava® Sculpture
Hindu Statues in Stone Traditional Javanese stone statues of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, including Gayatria, Durga, Tara, Skanda and Hanuman for the home or garden.	Stone Buddha Statues Traditional Javanese stone statues of Lord Buddha standing, meditating and relaxing in various  mudras, for the home or garden.	Stone Ganesh Statues  Traditional Javanese stone statues of Lord Ganesh standing, meditating and relaxing, for the home or garden.
Abstract Stone Statues Modern architectural stone statues for the home or garden design schemes.	Guardian Stone Statues Stone carvings and stone statues of totems and guardians of entrances and gateways.	Exclusive New Designs Chandicraft's innovative new designs  in stone.
Stone Wall Reliefs or stone wall panels can be used in architectural design schemes in the home or garden. The stone  wall panels may be inlaid into existing or new walls.	Stone Pots  A beautiful collection  of large and small stone  plant  pots for the garden landscaping schemes.	Stone Urns Large decorative stone urns and stone birdbaths for garden landscaping schemes.
Antique Stone Troughs Genuine antique Limestone troughs and  genuine antique Lava Stone troughs, traditionally used  in Java for collecting and storing rain water.	Antique Stone Pots   Genuine antique Limestone Pots traditionally used  in Java for collecting and storing rain water.	Stone Water  Features A varied collection of stone water features including fountains, water nymphs and spinning water balls.
Stone Tiles and Paving Available in a range of sizes cut from  Limestone, Lava Stone / Basalt and Green Stone for garden paths and patios.	Stone Garden Seats Hand carved from Lava Stone, Andesite and limestone. A stunning feature for any garden. Lava Beads Lava beads, Lava pendants and Lava Jewelry hand made from Volcanic Basalt Stone.	Stone Lampions and Stone Garden Lamps The design of many of the stone garden lamps and lampions are inspired by the pagoda temples of Java and Bali.  Beautiful lighting for the garden, patio or conservatory.
Chandicraft work in partnership with small village industries producing the following handicrafts.
Batik Sarongs Traditional batik  sarongs and modern batik sarongs for the beach.	Gamelan Gongs Announce 'dinner is served' with style with one of these amazing bronze gongs.	Gamelan Instruments Traditional Javanese musical instruments crafted  from teak wood and bronze.
Terracotta Buddha  Statues Buddha statues and Buddha Heads, hand made from Terracotta. Many of the statues are inspired by the Borobodur Temple - the largest Buddhist monument in the world.	Terracotta  Cooking Pots Earthenware oven to table dishes.    Terracotta Plant Pots Flower pots for the home and garden.	Terracotta Covered Urns Terracotta urns covered with natural fibers for the home or conservatory. Terracotta Urns Beautiful for large, dried flower and grass arrangements.
Terracotta Vases Umbrella holders and vases	Harley Davidson Bikes Hand made from wood