Batik

Batik is Javanese for “wax painting”, both the technique of textile design by negative, or resist, dyeing and the resulting fabric. Designs are first painted on both sides of a cloth in melted wax, traditionally poured from a copper pot with several spouts. The cloth is then dipped in dye, which is absorbed by the uncovered areas but resisted by the waxed areas; the result is a light pattern on a dark ground. After the wax is removed (by boiling or dissolving), the process may be repeated many times with other colored dyes to achieve great intricacy of design and richness of color. Batik, known to the ancient Sumerians, was developed into an art of great beauty by the Javanese and other Indonesian peoples. They used traditional geometric or floral motifs, often symbols of religion or social status, most frequently in blue and brown tones. Batik was introduced to Europe by Dutch merchants in the 17th century. The batik process has become commercialized in Indonesia.
Source: Encarta 2006