Senin, 06 Desember 2010

Indonesian furniture handicraft


indonesia furniture handicraft wholesale marketplace



Polywood outdoor furniture lasts longer than wood


While keeping plastic bottles of milk and other recycled plastics in landfills is a good thing, after having transformed into outdoor furniture and other objects by providing a material beneficial to outdoor living. With material Polywood outdoor furniture is not is used for furniture, but also on walls and terraces, even its use continues to grow.

Basically, the concept of pellets of extruded Polywood recycled plastic has increased to include colors impeded the materials so you will never need repainting. He noted that since its inception in 1990, Polywood outdoor furniture will not fade in the sun and not affected by the elements. Being left outside near salt water or in the sun, rain or snow leaves no obvious wear and is heavier than regular plastic furniture, it is not being carried away by wind.

Tables and chairs and garden furniture are available in Polywood, with colorful enough to make a statement on the fun beach or wood tones subject to appeal to the outdoor space more conservative Polywood Furniture Outdoor is built to outlast other materials left exposed to the elements.

Built to last a lifetime

Barstool chairs Polywood Adirondack style outdoor furniture is not intended for patio furniture at discount prices. Its rugged construction materials designed to last several years, is put into the category of quality outdoor furniture. The selection of Polywood patio furniture is available in the company or certain selling points. The price reflects the quality and life expectancy integrated into each piece.

The use of plastic lumber is not limited to furniture Polywood outdoor facilities are available for sale what they called plastic timber to allow people to build terraces, fences and other projects at his home in plastic timber. There are many colors and sizes so you can find you need for the construction project.

Wood grain finishes and color tones of wood can change the look of plastic sheeting as real wood and its ability to cut wood as building material makes an ideal project for do-it-yourself outdoors. You can even get items for a railing on your deck in the same colors to fit your Polywood furniture collection outdoor. Made of plastic with ultraviolet inhibitors built, you can the bridge to last as long as the furniture.

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Baby furniture can be a few come to of products to encounter your needs and financial plan, but a number of elements are considered essential. Children are the main factor and as a rule the superior size of baby furniture. An flexible bed is a cot in support of a baby. Made of wood, metal or a combination of both, in attendance is a copious selection to take from.

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JOG-20090223-0071 by issrasai

About Batik

About Batik



Written by Admin Book of Batik   
Dec 17, 2009 at 03:19 PM
ITS VARIOUS style batik

Batik originated from the Javanese, from the word "amba", meaning to write and "point" of the dots, so that later became ambatitik-ambatik-batik-mbatik. Yes, at first batik all done manually, by writing using a hand so well known as batik.

Art of batik has been started since the time of Majapahit, tracks can be found at Mojokerto and Tulungagung. As the capital of Majapahit kingdom in Mojokerto and Tulungagung which formerly bonorowo (because that first round is a swamp), led by the Duke of Kalang, who in his story would not submit to the Majapahit, until in the end have been killed, and that's when batik artisans of the Majapahit began to introduce batik art in the city which is now named Tulungagung bonorowo.

Batik from the geography that is divided into 2 non-coastal and coastal batik. Batik Batik is a traditional non-coastal areas are generally still holding the grip. Batik-batik was a lot of us have encountered in the area of Solo and Jogjakarta. Batik-batik was formerly mostly used by a limited circle only (relatives palace) and for certain events must use a certain style, too. Wedding, batik cloth used should be patterned Sidomukti and / or Sidoluhur. As for the show mitoni (7 months), which may be used batik fabric is patterned Ceplok Garuda and / or Parang Mangkoro, and so on for ceremonial occasions other.

Batik coast have the freedom of expression, namely motifs do not have the grip, usually brightly colored / bold and the motive is very rich and beautiful. Batik coast has berakulturasi with foreign cultures, such as floral influenced by India and Europe (Tulip flower), red color is influenced by China at the same time bring a phoenix motifs, butterflies, and so on. While the motives of seafood (clams, starfish, etc.) is an original batik motif coastal archipelago. This coastal batik can we meet in the area of Pekalongan, Cirebon, Lasem, Tuban, TanjungBumi-Bangkalan-Madura Madura and the area in general.

And Did You Know? that people in this coastal area was once batik only for a mere fad to eliminate saturation as in the area of Tuban, our moms waiting batik committed during the harvest season, whereas when the harvest season, all will come down to the field. For the area of Cirebon and other TanjungBumi again, they miss waiting batik because her husband came home from the sea:)

Batik from the side of the divided four ways of making the batik, batik cap, batik prints and batik print. Batik stamp using tools from copper that has been dipola and later will diceplok-ceplokkan onto the prepared cloth, batik printing using the base (sheeting / plastic) which has dipola which will be attached to a fabric which has been prepared. Batik print using a pattern drawn on the computer, set up the printer, just enter, then the fabric will be directly printed with the desired motif (hmm. .. this was the killing of the craftsmen of traditional batik). Batik as it has been written at the beginning, dipola, drawn, colored everything manually using hand and drawn with all your soul, it is no wonder, a professional was only able to produce one sheet of batik cloth (225 x 110 cm) of the fastest in 1 weeks. Therefore, batik is expensive if only seen from the nominal money we spend, but for a work of art, appreciation of creativity that has been poured, the value is to be fair and even lower than the value of the work that has been produced (we were told to try Batik stationery continue our work appreciated ............ 200 000 hmmm dare ga yaa?: p)

Another fundamental difference, both printed batik, batik prints and batik print coloring materials in general use chemicals, while the color batik material for all using natural materials such as bark, wood trees, flowers, fruit, tree roots, leaves etc.. Because basically, every leather / wood / fruit / root tree is unique, producing certain colors. Subhanallah ........

In making Batik will go through several stages of the process:
1. Ngloyor , ie the process of cleaning cloth from the mill which is usually still contain starch, using hot water mixed with straw or hay.
2. Ngemplong , ie the process of compressing the fibers of the newly cleaned fabric.
3. Memola , namely making a pattern using a pencil onto the fabric.
4. mbatik , namely paste wax / night batik patterns that have been drawn using canthing.
5. Nembok , namely that later allowed to cover the white with candles tembokan.
6. Medel , which has dipola dyeing cloth, coated with wax to the dye that had been prepared.
7. Ngerok / Nggirah , the process of removing wax with a tool pengerok.
8. Mbironi , which is close bagian2 which will remain white and contained tempat2 cecek (dot dot).
9. Nyoga , namely dye again with dye according to the desired color.
10. Nglorod , the process of removing wax with boiling water and then dried in the sun.

Coloring process, removal of wax can be done many times until it produces the desired color and quality. So then there Batik with 1x term process, the process 2x, 3x process. 1x Batik any process, can be solved by experts of the fastest in 1 week, let alone that through the process 2x, 3x process and so on, could take weeks and even for months.

So, my compatriots and compatriots, let us appreciate the noble work of batik artisans archipelago, a nation's pride in Indonesia, which people have been blessed with intelligence, creativity is supreme over other nations. We change the image that invitation and invitation batik = = = batik clothes batik into the archipelago and Indonesian batik = preserve culture and batik clothes everyday

. The Traditional Weaving Art in Lembata Island

Tenun Ikat Lembata
 
 Process of Weaving
   
   
   
   
   

Process of Weaving


Steps by steps on Production of Traditional Lembata Textiles
The annual variety of cotton is grown throughout Eastern Indonesia . Women harvest it by hand; gin and clean it to remove seeds and dirt and than card it to fluff it up. They will than spin it into tread by hand using a simple but highly effective gravity spindle.
Lady picking up cotton from the field   Elderly lady separating cotton pips.

The hand spun tread is wound into measured skeins and wrapped over an open wooden frame. These threads form the wrap or lengthways tread of the final cloth. Finally the treads are divided according to the kind of motif and then tidying. After tide the motif the treads are move from the frame for dying. These processes often take months to complete.
NB; Its takes from four days up to one week to soaked the treads into indigo or Morinda (mengkudu).Then the threads are separated from the liquid and with carefully hang out to dry.
 
Making the mengkudu liquid   Mother and daughter grounding mengkudu
     
 
Making Indigo liquid   Two ladies hung-up the treads with liquid

The dying process also takes several months, which is Indigo ( indigofera ). Shrubs (for blue and black colour ), only grow in the rain season. While the read and dark brown colour is from the root of the Morinda tree or Mustard fruit tree known as mengkudu in Indonesia . Other colours as green and yellow are from bean leaves and turmeric. The dye and dry process take weeks often months to get the right colours)
 
 
Separate the motif   Ready to weave
 
The threads are then carefully set up on the back strap tension loom. A breast beam, end beam, shed roll, string heddle and various guide sticks are incorporated into the wrap threads. This process usually takes a day to complete by two people. With the loom set up the weaver then concentrate on the task of weaving the wrap and weft treads into a tightly–woven fabric.

Cloths which are worn daily may take three to four months to make and it will then be cut, joined and hand stitched into a tube. While those for ceremonial purposes may take up to 12 months to make, because much more care is taken with the motifs and the weaving, and these remain uncut.
 
NB ; the ceremonial cloths have bigger motif and usually in three panel, while the two panel cloths are for every day worn, have smaller scale of motif and can be add some of colourful machine threads.

Indonesian Handicraft

Indonesian Handicraft | Indonesia Furniture Handicraft Wholesale Marketplace

Indonesian Handicraft - Indonesia Furniture Handicraft Wholesale Marketplace

Indonesia Furniture Handicraft Wholesale Marketplace


Welcome to Indonesia Furniture Handicraft Wholesale Marketplace site, this session I want tell you about Indonesian handicraft, wicker handicraft, how is the handicraft made, how is the handicraft finished, and product care for maintenance and cleaning furniture and handicraft product, and some story about made Indonesia handicraft such as provincial specialties, symbolism, textiles, wayang puppets, traditional toys and games, ceramics, natural fibers and materials, shells jewelry, antique furniture, wood carvings, stone carvings, bangka tin, paintings, musical instruments, calligraphy, weapons, and batik copper stamps.

Various typical of Indonesian handicraft including all handicraft products sell to manufacturer, wholesaler/distributor, and retailer store, also through of OutofIndonesia.com.
Enrich the ambience of your home with Indonesia handicraft, inspired by and crafted from the finest natural resources of Indonesia. We look forward to the future with great confidence as we continue to strive for even greater success and increased customer satisfaction. It's our pleasure doing business with your company and we anticipate a mutually beneficial, long term relationship.

Indonesia Furniture Handicraft Wholesale Marketplace give you information about Indonesian Handicraft Wholesale Marketplace

What is Indonesian Handicrafts ?

Indonesian Handicraft is accesories to make your home more comfortable to live by Indonesia handicraft made from every kind of resources of Indonesia which give beauty and simply of handicraft. As also Indonesia known as the biggest rattan supplier in the world, we also made handicraft with rattan material to give harmony of your living room or dinning room with other rattan furniture.

What is Wicker Handicraft ?

Wicker is a weaving process, not a material. One of the materials used in the weaving process is called rattan core, which comes from the rattan interior. A machine cuts the inside of the rattan pole, into pieces small enough in diameter for the weaving. Due to the nature of this product, splits and discolorations in the rattan poles are to be expected. They even enhance the beauty and uniqueness of these handcrafted products.

How is the Handicraft Made ?

All handicraft made by experience crafter and made by the best material of Indonesia resources. Control and evaluate every process with very high standart. Best quality of handicraft is the objective of the complex process can give you to your satisfaction.

How is the Handicraft Finished ?

Once the handicraft is complete, combinations of latex and alcohol base stains are used to obtain a homogeneous finish. Pains taking detail is used to prepare and sand each piece for a clean, smooth surface.

Water Hyacinth - handicraft is made from the dried stems of this ubiquitous aquatic plant in an ingenious weave technique to create stylist handicraft, that are not only strong but are pieces of great beauty and character.

Abaca - is a species of plantain banana tree, grown especially for the inner layers of its bark. This robust plantation grown material is woven in intricate patterns of great style that our designers use to maximum effect.

Product Care - Maintenance & Cleaning

Do not allow your handicraf to be exposed to harsh Ultraviolet sunlight for prolonged periods of time, as this can affect the colour. Gently wipe over the handicraft with a moist, clean cloth to remove dust or spills and vacuum the woven parts with a soft brush attachment.

For major liquid spills, hose the water hyacinth handicraft and place outside or in a drying room to dry. Please note that it is important that the handicraft is dried and not remain wet or damp for any length of time as this will result in mould and subsequent deterioration of the water hyacinth handicraft.

Water hyacinth is a natural untreated handmade product and will absorb moisture and dry out in direct relation to climate conditions. To avoid any deterioration it is recommended that the environment be dry and well ventilated.

Story About Indonesian Handicraft

Balinese MasksOne of the many pleasures of living in Indonesia is having the opportunity to learn about and collect Indonesian handicraft. The diversity evident in Indonesia's 300 plus ethnic groups is reflected in the diversity of its art forms. Just as every ethnic group throughout the archipelago has its own language/dialect, cuisine, traditional dress and traditional homes and they have also developed their own textiles, ornaments, carvings and items for daily use and special celebrations. The rich cultural heritage of art and handicrafts is one of Indonesia's true national riches.
Indonesian art forms can include designs traced back to early animistic beliefs, ancestor worship, Hindu or Buddhist influenced motifs brought by Indian traders, Chinese or Islamic symbols and beliefs. Foreign influence on Indonesian art forms was brought about by centuries of exposure to other cultures through trade. Immigrants from China, India, the Arab world and later Europe traveled to the archipelago in search of the unique spices grown in Indonesia. These traders settled and brought with them rich artistic traditions which influenced the development of local art.
Making of Batik handicraftToday we can see highly developed art forms wherever these artisans had patrons in centuries past. One of the places where this is perhaps most evident is in Yogyakarta where the Sultan's family has supported batik, silver, wayang and other artisans for generations. With this patronage the art forms flourished, resulting in a rich variety of art forms today.
The rich artistic traditions of Bali, where traditionally each person must develop skills in a particular art form - be it dance, music, or visual arts has lead to the creation of a vibrant artistic community. Foreign artists have been drawn to Bali for centuries due to this unique cultural synergy.
Handicrafts also developed from the usage of every day household items which were decorated and used for ceremonial purposes. Witness the wide variety of uses of natural woods, fibers, bamboo, rattan and grasses. Natural and chemical dyes, beads and other natural ornamentation are used to decorate these items, many of which have developed over time into distinctive art forms.
Many expats take advantage of the opportunity of living in Indonesia to learn more about its culture, or to begin a collection of art objects or handicrafts that they enjoy. We go through early days of explorations, through the thrills of discovery and learning, to hunting down particular items you want and acquiring true finds.
Often expats are able to acquire things in Indonesia that they wouldn't have been able to afford at home where import duties and retail mark-ups make the prices skyrocket. In addition, the purchase of various handicrafts is often associated with special memories ... wonderful memories of vacations, the tukang and the fun of searching for the right piece.Wayang Kulit PuppeteerWith the rupiah exchange rate so favorable against most foreign currencies - great bargains are to be found in Indonesia! Visit either Sarinah Jaya or Pasaraya in Jakarta for a good introduction to Indonesia handicrafts, though don't expect to find true antiques there. Then you'll know better what you may want to purchase on your travels through the archipelago.
Wooden PuppetsIf you develop a love for a particular item, seek out others who share your new hobby/collecting and learn the history of the items together. Expats who fall in love with a particular art form may even plan their travel through the archipelago around their special interest, tracking down and viewing the making of the items in their places of origin.
One of the most popular organizations in Jakarta for those who are interested in learning more about Indonesian culture is the Indonesian Heritage Society. Amateurs become experts through research using their extensive library and participation in study groups. Study groups are formed dependent on the interest of the members and in recent years have included: textiles, ceramics, wayang, batik and others.

Museums in Jakarta and in other major cities display priceless artifacts from Indonesia's vibrant history. Join a tour at the National Museum, visit the Textile or Keris museum and you will quickly discover the rich cultural heritage of Indonesian art. While at the Museum Nasional, pick up a copy of the National Museum Guidebook, published by the Indonesian Heritage Society for an excellent introduction to the collection.

Provincial Specialties
A few months after beginning your exploration of the various Indonesian art forms, certain provinces will soon take on character all their own through the art forms you association with them ... Javanese batik, Balinese carvings, Kalimantan baby bak, Malukan pearls, Bugis silk sarong, Lombok pottery, Dayak blow guns, Sumba ikat and more. Your travels throughout Indonesia will be enriched by your exposure to the development of different art forms in each province.

Symbolism
Indonesian art forms are rich in symbolism. The mythical naga or dragon; the mamuli pendant - symbol of fertility from Sumba, the tree of life, the mythological beast Garuda (also a national symbol found on the Pancasila symbol),Garuda Carvingall have special meanings in Indonesian traditions, myths and beliefs. Exploring the origins of these designs and what they mean is fascinating.
The war between good and evil, ancient stories of love and warfare, nature and the heavens - all have special meanings to Indonesian throughout the archipelago. Gods, demons and knights abound in Balinese carvings and in other areas where Hindu influence predominated at some point in history. Plants, animals (mythological and real) and geometric forms are also widely used and represent specific meanings in particular art forms.
Motifs drawn from nature - leaves, flowers, mountains, water, clouds, animals often represent religious or mystical symbols related to early forms of animism, then later to Hinduism. Islamic prohibitions against showing the human figure or other living creatures stagnated the development of many art forms in areas where Islam was strong.Parang Batik Design Certain motifs were favored and even restricted to the royal families, especially in batik designs for the Surakarta and Yogyakarta royal families (one of which is called the broken keris). These symbols depicted simple, natural objects that were important to the lives of Javanese, such as the leaves of the aren palm or the fruit from the kapok tree. Traditional colors of navy blue, cream, brown and black used in batik have given way to a myriad of colors utilizing modern imported dyes. Handicrafts and art objects range from every day items which are unique to Indonesia, to one-of-a-kind collector's items, with a very wide range in between. What you will buy and/or collect depends of course on what you like. To introduce you briefly to the wide range of items available we've covered some of the more popular below:

Textiles
The diversity in Indonesian textile forms is astounding and is yet another representation of its rich cultural heritage.Sample of Batik Indonesian textiles include hand drawn and stamped batik, the design of which takes months to create; double weave ikat from the islands of Nusa Tenggara, ship cloth from Lampung, silk Bugis sarong from Sulawesi, gold-painted Balinese prada fabric; shimmering kain songket from Palembang utilizing silver and gold metallic threads weft in woven cotton or silk ikat; and Tapis weavings from Lampung. Weavings from the 33 provinces utilize different materials, methods, colors and designs. Primarily formed on back looms, weeks or months are spent creating intricate designs for everyday use or ceremonial wear. These weavings are primarily known by the different techniques that are used to create the distinctive designs.
The symbolism of the various ethnic groups is evident in the variety of textiles. Color, shapes and their arrangements all have special meanings. Certain designs can only be worn by women or men, or only by the members of the royal family or nobility.Ikat Textile
Special textiles are worn or exchanged in life cycle or rights of passage ceremonies celebrating birth, circumcision, puberty, marriage, childbearing and death. Textiles play an important role in many traditional events and ceremonies.
Written records dating to the fourteenth century document the importance of textiles in the social and religious lives of Indonesians. The highly distinctive traditional dress, or pakaian adat, best shows the diversity of uses of textiles throughout the archipelago. The even more elaborate bridal dress displays the best of each province's textile and ornamental jewelry traditions.

Wayang - Puppets
Puppets have been used for centuries in Indonesia to tell the stories of the ancient epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabarata, as well as ancient myths.Wayang Kulit Modern stories also utilize this ancient art form for contemporary audiences.
Puppets fall into two major classifications - wayang kulit - the leather or shadow puppet of Central Java, and wayang golek - wooden puppets of West Java. There are several varieties of wooden puppets. Some expats enjoy collecting the same character by various artisans, or all the characters in a scene or story, or just characters that strike their fancy. Good guys, bad guys, gods, demons, nobles, giants, clowns, princes and princesses and monkeys ... all can be found in traditional puppet forms.
Less commonly seen are the Wayang Klitik, a flat wooden puppet.

Traditional Toys and Games
The congklak, or dakon board game was brought to Indonesia by Indian or Arab traders centuries ago.Congklak Board Made from plastic or wood, or highly carved by court artisans, this game has been played in Indonesia for centuries. Examples of early congklak board can be found in the National Museum.
Traditional toys can be found throughout the archipelago and forays into the provinces will undoubtedly turn up many simple toys made by villagers for their children. These can be purchased at local pasar, roadside stands or near popular tourist destinations.

Ceramics
Ceramics made their way to Indonesia over centuries of trade with China dating back to 205 BC. Ceramic items range from everyday common vessels and plates, to fine ceramic pieces that became heirlooms passed down from generation to generation.Blue Ceramic Vase Modern reproductions of these antiques abound ... so take the time to learn the difference between a genuine antique and a modern reproduction. The Ceramic Museum in Jakarta, ceramic study groups at the Indonesian Heritage Society and a wealth of books on Ceramics will help introduce you to this fascinating ancient art form.
More affordable, and yet just as beautiful is jewelry made from antique ceramic shards discovered in port cities throughout the archipelago. While formerly these broken dishes served as ballast in ships from China, modern artisans have turned these broken ceramic pieces into beautiful jewelry and other useful items.
Contemporary ceramic design can be found in a wide range of useful household items. Lombok pottery in particular is popular with expats. The intricate terra-cotta pottery made in the village of Kasongan near Yogyakarta is also a favorite of many.

Natural Fibers and Materials
A wide range of items, both useful and decorative are made from natural fibers such as pandanus, rattan, bamboo and grasses. Rice spoons, bowls, containers, woven mats, baskets, lamp shades, boxes, natural paper products and a multitude of other items are made from natural fibers in Indonesia. Bamboo, while exotic in the west, is one of the most practical natural plants. The uses of bamboo in Indonesia areNatural Fiber Products numerous and Indonesians utilize bamboo extensively for a variety of items including baskets, winnows, cups, buckets, furniture and woven walls in traditional homes. The fine strands used for fans, purses, bags, hats, baskets and other items. Larger, thick strips are used for flower baskets, walls and other items. While bamboo was originally used for practical items around the house, these have been further developed into new items which sell well as souvenirs. Bone, rubber, coconut shell, fibers, horn and other natural materials are used in many folk handicrafts from blow pipes, figurines, bags, storage items, painted umbrellas, and even ships made entirely from cloves.

Shells
Shells are used by Indonesian artisans to create a wide variety of useful items, wind chimes and jewelry. The waters surrounding the over 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago have given forth an abundance of aquatic splendor. Exotic shells can be purchased for small sums of money. However, be cautious in your purchases as many species are over-harvested and their extinction is only a matter of time. In particular, avoid purchasing the Nautilus and giant clam, protected species which are already endangered.

Jewelry
One of the richest art forms in Indonesia reflects the Indonesian woman's desire to ornament her traditional dress, which wouldn't be complete without various items of traditional jewelry. Ornamentation used with traditional dress is rich in symbolism and design. From modern designs in 22 karat gold, to intricate filigree silver jewelry from Yogyakarta, using precious and semi-precious stones, or modern plastic, wood or ceramic ... there are many designs, materials and price ranges to choose from. Many expats indulge their love of a particular type of jewelry ... buying opals or silver jewelry until they've built up quite impressive collections.
Antique jewelry (both authentic and reproductions) is a favorite of expats. Antique trade beads, or their reproductions, are very popular.
Mabe pearls are a favorite with expats in Jakarta. You can purchase the loose pearls and have them set in your own gold or silver design at your favorite jewelers. Pearl farms harvest huge quantities of mabe and fresh water pearls in Lampung, Maluku and Sulawesi.
A trip to the gem markets of Jakarta or Kalimantan is a fun adventure and provides an introduction to the variety of gemstones available in Indonesia. These include diamonds, South Sea pearls, opal, sapphire, amethyst and banded agates. Beware that many stones are actually manufactured ... what is termed masakan in Indonesia. The karat content of gold can often misrepresented and gemstones could be fake. Depend on a trusted jeweler or shop with knowledgeable friends.

Antique Furniture
Wooden Carved rocking chairBeautiful Dutch colonial and other antique furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries is popular with expats, including Balinese opium beds, rice storage units, old cupboards, Javanese carved wall panels, doors and unique tables. These pieces may need restoration or may have already be refinished or reconditioned by the shops.
Many shops cater to the expats love of Classic Furniture Handicraft, antiques and sell authentic antiques or reproductions. Widely available too are new designs of furniture, utilizing old wood. The advantage of old wood is that it is less likely to split when you bring it back to a dry climate, as the wood has been seasoned for decades. Much 'antique' furniture available is actually new furniture that has been left in the sun and rain for months to . age. the furniture. Be careful to purchase from a trustworthy dealer if you want to be sure you are getting authentic antiques.

Wood Carvings
3D Wooden CarvingWooden carving traditions and skills can be found throughout the Indonesian archipelago, with the most famous being from Bali, Central Java, Madura, Sumatra and Irian Jaya. Different areas developed very different traditions so that many items are immediately identifiable as being created by particular ethnic groups. Most popular with expats are Javanese and Balinese wooden image carvings, Jepara lattice-like three-dimensional reliefs and Irianese primitive carvings.
Even amongst wooden carvings from a particular province, differences in design, style and subject matter are easily evidenced after some study. Irianese tribes such as the Asmat, Dani, and Komoro have very distinctive styles of carvings of totem poles, weapons, figures and utensils.
Whimsical, brightly colored modern carvings are produced primarily in Bali. And the popularity of these pieces has Modern Wood Carvings from Bali influenced the wooden carving traditions of other regions as well.
Used in prehistoric times in burials, the use of ancient spirit masks have given way to masks used in many traditional dances. These highly stylized masks, topeng, depict the various characters in the story told by the dance. Masks enable the performers to assume new identities and depict a variety of characters from demons to animals, princes or gods. Amongst the most famous masks used in dance are the Rangda and Barong masks from Bali. In this traditional dance, performed often for tourists, the interaction of Rangda, representing evil, and the Barong, representing good, restores the harmony between the good and evil in life.
While masks for sale in stores are primarily from Central Java and Bali, masks from other ethnic groups were used widely in the past to communicate with ancestors, for blessings for harvests, protection from evil spirits, to acquire new personalities or great powers.
Wooden Mask
Fragrant sandalwood from the Nusa Tenggara is available in carvings, medicine, incense, cosmetics, prayer beads and useful items such as pens and fans. It is usually stored in a special glass cabinet in stores and a stroll past the cabinet will quickly acquaint you with the exotic fragrance of this special wood.
Woods used in carving include ebony, teak, mahogany, ironwood, sandalwood and other lesser known indigenous woods. The price may often be related to the type of wood used, as harder woods are more difficult to carve. Since many are concerned by the cutting of tropical hard wood forests, many wood items are made from teak trees which are cultivated on plantations. Look for the labeling designated the item as utilizing plantation-grown teak.

Stone Carvings
Stone CarvingVolcanic rock are carved to create statues depicting characters from ancient Indonesian myths and epics. These are predominantly found in Yogyakarta and Bali where stone carving traditions date back over 900 years and were highly developed during the construction of major temples in these areas.

Bangka Tin
Pewter items are made with tin from the island of Bangka. Favorites with expats are the angels in varying sizes, candlesticks, picture frames, and Christmas tree ornaments. Engravings of Bangka tin items are often presented by various expat groups to their members in recognition of various achievements.
Shops specializing in Bangka pewter items can be found in Jakarta on Jl. Paletahan. These shops offer significant discounts. Displays of Bangka tin items can also be found in the major arts and handicrafts centers in Jakarta and in other popular tourist destinations.

Paintings
Bali PaintingPainting as an art form was really developed in the 19th and 20th century and includes batik paintings, the highly stylized paintings of Bali which depict village and traditional life as well as modern oils and acrylics. Famous Indonesian painters such as Raden Saleh, command high prices on the international market and at auctions in Singapore and Jakarta.







Musical Instruments
Along with the other arts forms that developed in great diversity across the archipelago, cultural diversity also lead to the development of different musical traditions, thus different instruments. Angklung from West Java, Gamelan from Yogyakarta or Bali, flutes and gongs from West Java are favorite collectibles of expats.

Calligraphy
While non-Islamic art forms abound due to the rich Buddhist/Hindu traditions dating back for centuries, Islamic calligraphy has developed in various art forms as well. These include embroidery, wood carvings, ceramics, paintings, and the beautiful gold embroidered Tapis cloth of Lampung.Keris dagger

Weapons
The ancient Keris is a favorite of expats, as well as bone blow pipes from Kalimantan, swords and daggers. Bows and arrows and spears from Irian Jaya are also popular.

Batik Copper Stamps
Used in the cap production of batik, these copper stamps are collected by expats. Special designs can be made at the Cap Man in Jakarta where cap are worked into drawers and furniture as well as lazy susans, coasters or trivets.
Whatever your tastes and pleasures, you will soon enjoy the exploration of the various Indonesian art forms and enjoy collecting a few for yourself.