MCM African Batik Art Panels – Set of 2 Matching Wildlife Textiles (35" x 16")

A lively pair of MCM vintage African batik textile panels featuring two stylized wildlife scenes: an elephant in motion between two trees on the savanna, and two male gazelles locking horns in competition. The designs combine simplified animal silhouettes, geometric forms, and an earthy palette of brown, tan, and ochre. Mid-century modern design paired with traditional textile artistry.

Both panels feature similar grass-inspired foregrounds with characteristic crackle lines formed when dye penetrates fractures in the wax resist. The two pieces share coordinating coloration and design details and are well suited to side-by-side display.

Each panel measures 35" long by 16" tall and was previously stitched to a jersey-material backing, which remains attached. The two pieces are sold as a set and will be shipped loose and unframed. They can be stretched over canvas bars, mounted under glass, or hung casually on the wall. Please note that the edges are rough and unfinished. The graphic animal imagery and warm, neutral colors work well with mid-century modern, bohemian, eclectic, and globally influenced interiors. Free US shipping.

About the Batik Technique

The technique has a long history in Asia, with particularly influential traditions developing in Indonesia, especially around Java. References to patterned textiles in Java date back to the 12th century, although the precise origins of wax-resist batik remain debated. Indonesian batik became known for its complex, symbolic motifs and intricate patterns.

Related resist-dyeing traditions also developed in India, including Gujarat and other textile-producing regions, featuring local flora and cultural themes. During the 19th century, Indonesian batik designs and European adaptations of the technique made their way into West African markets, where they were embraced and adapted into distinctive textile traditions featuring bold patterns, vibrant colors, and cultural imagery.