Poteh

Poteh is a term used in Malay and Indonesian textile vocabulary to describe dot-like motifs in batik and weaving. The word poteh translates roughly as “spot” or “dot,” and it categorizes patterns that feature multiple small circular elements. In batik practice, poteh motifs can be produced by applying wax in tiny points or by printing dot patterns onto fabric, creating areas that remain lighter after dyeing. The resulting effect is a speckled or dotted field that can function as a decorative fill or as a standalone motif within a larger design.

Historically, poteh-style patterns appear across Southeast Asian textile traditions, including Javanese and Malay batik, with examples dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. They are often combined with more elaborate motifs such as floral, geometric, or abstract elements, providing tonal variation and texture. In some contexts, poteh may also describe negative spaces created by avoiding dye in certain areas, rather than adding white dots.

In contemporary use, poteh continues to appear in traditional and modern batik, as well as in printed and woven textiles. Designers may employ poteh to evoke lightness, airiness, or visual texture, and the term remains a practical descriptor among artisans for dotted patterning within a larger composition.