| Murni's Warung Shop, Ubud, Bali
ShopSmart
Ibu Murni is the grande dame of Ubud antique and handicraft dealers, as well as a legendary local restauranteur. She created the first real restaurant in Ubud in 1974 and her shop is part of the famous restaurant. Each of the four levels is decorated with treasures, most of which are for sale.
The shop is incredibly diverse, with a profusion of antiques, sculptures, handicrafts, souvenirs, scarves, jewellery, masks, bags. Valuable antiques and vintage objects tend to be upstairs.
Over the past quarter of a century, Murni has amassed a tremendous collection of genuine antiques, textiles and other curiosities, and gained a hands-on, in-depth understanding of the artistically prolific cultures of Indonesia. She goes on many buying trips to remote areas of the country and also travels extensively within Asia, so you may find special pieces from Afghanistan, Nagaland, Cambodia, Burma or China.
Murni also thinks about the budget traveller and commissions quality reproductions drawing upon styles from past centuries around the archipelago. Metal castings are a speciality, starting from tiny geckoes 3cm long to life-sized bronze Chinese figures.
We liked the alpaca reclining Buddhas (nickel and silver), which are of various lengths, and lovely bronze doorknockers with animal heads. She has a couple of amazing Ganeshas, almost 2 metres tall and exquisitely detailed in bronze, one in the Lounge Bar and the other in the restaurant. They take years to make. There are also a number of lovely stone carvings with particularly expressive features.
High-end textiles are another speciality and perhaps Murni’s first love. She is always delighted to show them and explain their history and the meanings attached to them. The best ones can be pricey but there are also many cheaper ones to suit any pocket.
The walls in the Lounge Bar on the third floor are covered with an interesting range of masks. There’s a fascinating display of old and old-style painted wooden Javanese figures, very nice traditional Javanese wayang golek puppets, beaded betel baskets from Sumatra, along with old and new jewellery. Also some interesting antique lamps and good wayang kulit figures.
Serious collectors take note: Murni's shop assistants may be able to arrange an audience with her if she’s in town. English is definitely spoken, and credit cards accepted.
Murni also supplies wholesale andships anywhere. For those who cannot visit the shop, some of Murni's goods are available on-line via her web site.
Murni’s Warung Shop, Jalan Raya, Campuan,
Ubud.
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