Rare Vintage Javanese Copper & Steel Tjap Batik Stamp Applique, Thrift Store Visit

Vintage Copper Batik Tjap Stamp

Farmhouse Magic Blog was out again on the hunt for the rare and the unusual.

The above photograph show a vintage copper/steel Batik Tjap Applique Stamp.  I noticed this in a thrift store priced at $10 dollars.  There probably was some type of handle on the back which has broken off.

Tjap stamps were used instead of flat-faced stamps in the batik printing process.  Three dimensional patterns holds melted wax better especially with delicate designs.

Batik wax printing started in Java the mid 19 century.  Java’s batik prints competed with European imported cottons.  Java had to come up with a way to make delicate batik prints quicker and the Jtap applique stamp was invented. 

Batik printing works by dipping the Tjap applique stamp in to melted wax.  Then it is pressed on to material or cloth leaving a wax imprint.  The wax design is allow to cool.  After that, the material is dipped into a dye. 

When I did a batik pattern in school, I slightly crushed the cooled melted wax design before dipping the material in dye.

Then the wax is removed and the design that was protected by the wax remains.

Design Features

What is especially interesting is the design on this vintage Tjap.

It looks like a tall triangular-shaped Javanese house with two natives on top.  They are surrounded by water.

There is also some type of walkway or bridge that continues on the edge of the stamp.

There is also what looks like to be an ore cart.

Summary

I usually don’t devote a whole blog to a vintage item, but I think this Javanese piece was very interesting and unusual.

Now what do my Farmhouse Magic Blog Readers Think . . .

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