# Headcloth (Iket Kepala)

- By: Indonesia, Central Java
- Date: Late 19th century
- Medium: Cotton, plain weave; hand-drawn wax resist dyed (batik tulis)
- Classification: Costume and Accessories
- Dimensions: 106.7 × 107.4 cm (42 × 42 1/4 in.)
- Culture: Java
- Credit line: Gift of Guy H. Mitchell
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/59204)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/c6e30acc-400a-fe9d-e67c-b1d380a2a3d7/full/843,/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

The palette and design details of this man's headcloth differ from those of the four pieces shown to the left (1926.24, 1926.22, 1926.5, and 1926.4). Here the overall effect is darker, thanks to the deeper red tone of the soga. Also, there are numerous bracket-like white lines arranged in a radially symmetrical fashion, which suggest mountain peaks. These form a pleasing pattern in their own right and provide welcome contrast to the otherwise somber palette. Such differences may well indicate production at a different central Javanese court.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0