Solo City is recognized as among the cultural city in Indonesia, Solo is also currently still have a very strong tradition of empire. According to historical facts, batik solo, however, lies in advance compared with the batik of Yogyakarta. Prince Mangkubumi from Yogyakarta visit to Solo and came back with batik as a foundation for creating batik of Yogyakarta.
Even with having the same source, but the solo batik and Yogyakarta batik has a diverse character from each other. Solo Batik is generally golden brown. In the motifs, not found in white. Solo batik motifs of the most famous is “Sidomukti”. This dissimilarity is due to differences in political views among the two kingdoms to the arrival of the Dutch.
Yogyakarta royal party is firmly opposed to the Dutch colonial government so as to create batik motifs and colors are more explicit, while attitudes Solo kingdom’s pro-colonial look of batik creates. The closeness of the relationship between the work of Solo and Solo batik impressed the Netherlands resulted in more flexible and free. The decoration was more varied, and the color is more various.
If we discuss about batik Solo, it looks hard to escape from a batik-producing village in the name of Solo, that is Kampung Laweyan. This village is famous as batik producers since the 19th century. Residents in this village an average success as batik entrepreneurs known as Gendhu Gal.
Heyday these entrepreneurs will be seen from the architecture of the homes they have. Like a big palace, surrounded by high walls with big wooden gate. Although it has many historic homes turned into shops, Kampung Laweyan image as a producer of batik village didn’t fade.
Some batik solo contains philosophy which influenced many of the Javanese and Hindu Philosophy. Some examples of decorative batik Solo on its meaning, as follows:
1. Bird is the world’s top, or wind;
2. Flame symbolizing the fire burning;
3. Denoted by Mt Meru.
4. Water is symbolized by the Dragon.
5. Aircraft or wing, is to describe the crown, or school.
If you want to know more about batik Solo, please arrive to the Museum Batik Kaoeman located in Kampung Batik Kauman. Many of pieces of batik and batik maker decades-old show at the old house was a typical Java. In the museum wooden walls, lined batik stamp that shows the rich variety of decorative batik Solo. Each batik fabrics on display are labeled, so that visitors know the info about batik.
Solo is famous for many has a lot of gallery / showroom that serves a type of batik clothing. Demand not just the people who live in Solo only. A lot of tourists from the country and abroad who go to the solo just to buy batik clothes offered. With a relatively cheap price it’s no wonder if many people purchase them for later resale in their areas of origin.
Today the place is very well-known as a center of trade batik solo is Klewer Market. In this market there are a lot of vendors selling a variety of baju batik (Indonesian) from various brands. Traded goods are also not limited to bajubatik but also have started getting the innovation with other products such as kebaya, batik dresses, kaos batik, batik bags, and others.