Dutch wax-printed fabric

textile

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

Dutch wax-printed fabric, often called "African" cloth, has a complex history of cultural exchange. Originally produced in Europe to imitate Indonesian textiles, it became widely adopted in West Africa. The technique of wax-resist dyeing, known as batik, involves covering areas of fabric with wax to prevent them from absorbing dye. This method, originating in Southeast Asia, was later introduced to Europe by the Dutch. While the term "holland" originally referred to fine, plainwoven linens from the Netherlands, it can also describe cotton fabrics with a finished surface. This fabric's significance lies in its symbolic representation of intertwined cultural histories and identities.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Yinka Shonibare
…is his use of so-called Dutch wax-printed fabric, produced by means of a batiklike technique. Exported from the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the late 19th century, the brightly-colored patterned fabric was meant to imitate Indonesian cloth and was enthusiastically adopted in West Africa, so this inauthentic Indonesian textile…
Read More
…is his use of so-called Dutch wax-printed fabric, produced by means of a batiklike technique. Exported from the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the late 19th century, the brightly-colored patterned fabric was meant to imitate Indonesian cloth and was enthusiastically adopted in West Africa, so this inauthentic Indonesian textile…
Read More