What Is Bali Sterling Silver?
Bali is a small island in Indonesia, made up of primarily Hindu people. The blending of the arts, culture and religion in Bali has given rise to a rich and prominent arts and craft industry. The Bali handicraft industry provides employment and business opportunities for thousands of people, according to online resource Arts Bali. The majority of metalsmithing performed in Bali now is silver work for the export market. Does this Spark an idea?
-
History
-
With the end of Java's Majapahit Empire, which began colonizing Bali in the 14th century, the island saw a huge influx of Javanese nobleman and craftsman and became a main center of precious metal craft. Metalsmiths are held in high regard in Bali, reports Nina Designs. One group of smiths, from Singaraja, trace their line back before the immigration of the Majapahit Javanese, while another consider themselves descendants of the Hindu god, Brahma.
Production Areas
-
Bali silversmiths are concentrated in and around the village of Celuk in the south central part of the island. The gold and silver jewelry trade has permeated the people of Celuk so thoroughly that every home in the village has a small silver and gold production studio according to Indo.com. International demand for Balinese silver work has grown to such an extent that new production centers have grown up in Denpasar and Kuta. Silver is mined in Bali near Singaraja.
-
Style
-
Balinese silversmiths apply small sterling silver dots and wires that are bent into different shapes to a large base in a geometrical shape, such as an oval, square or rectangle. Glue from a native berry attaches the granulations and wires to the base. Once the silversmith achieves the desired layout, she solders the piece. Many of the silversmiths make the beads and findings that they use in their jewelry, and use antiquing of the base, such as tarnishing, to make the granulations and wires stand out. Balinese jewelry is almost always hand made and therefore rarely uses casting techniques, according to Marimari.com. Designs may incorporate both the Balinese tradition and the modern Javanese style of filigree work, shiny flat surfaces and clean, streamlined joints.
Considerations
-
“Bali-style” beads and jewelry made in Indonesia, Turkey and other countries can be found that copy Balinese designs, according to The Sterling Silver Guide. Indian Bali-style jewelry often uses casting, leading to poorly articulated beads, and may not be made of sterling silver.
Tribal Jewelry
-
Kamasan remains the center for traditional gold and silver jewelry, according to Marimari. The village of Kamasan in the Klungkung formerly comprised artisans who produced crowns, body jewelry and ornaments for the royal family. The tribal jewelry of Kamasan continues a tradition that is several thousand years old.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Rizières et palmiers à Bali image by Frédéric LEVIEZ from Fotolia.com
