India
Order Number: MHSABD11

Believed to be at least 1,000 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Agate Beads appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Coins, beads
Style: Afghanistan
Size:  Height 23 cm, Width 17 cm
Order Number: MHSOAN

Tribal necklace from the Kochi tribe in Afghanistan who live in the mountains.

The National Multi-Sectoral Assessment of Kochi in 2004, estimated that there are about 2.4 million Kochis in Afghanistan. About 1.5 million (60%) are fully nomadic^.

They are nomads and semi-nomads, and mostly keep sheep and goats. Meat, dairy products, hair and wool from their animals is exchanged or sold to purchase grain, vegetables, fruit and other products. An extensive network of exchange has developed along the main routes followed by the nomads.

These long-distance routes were closed in the early 1960s when the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan was closed, but many Kochis are still allowed to cross. Migrations inside Afghanistan still continue, although trucks are now used to move livestock and people.

Early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Afghan Necklace appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Style: Afghanistan

Material: Glass
Order Number: MHSABD10

Thousands of years old, maybe 2,000

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Afghanistan Bead appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Palm Leaf
Style:  Nyuh Kuning, Bali, , Indonesia
Size: Height 22 cm, Diameter 45 cm
Order Number: MHSABBB1

About 30-40 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Basket 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Palm Leaf
Style:  Nyuh Kuning, Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 31 cm, Diameter 23 cm (top) 15 cm (base)
Order Number: MHSABBB3

About 30-40 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Basket 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Palm Leaf
Style:  Nyuh Kuning, Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 28 cm, Diameter 33 cm (top) 22 cm (base)
Order Number: MHSABBB4

About 30-40 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Basket 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Palm Leaf
Style:  Nyuh Kuning, Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 29 cm, Diameter 20 cm (top) 15 cm (base)
Order Number: MHSABBB5

About 30-40 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Basket 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 54.5 cm, Width 6.5 cm, Depth 4 cm
Order Number: MHSABCM5

Traditional wooden Balinese cake mould tray used for cookies and dumplings. They are called Cetakan Kue in Indonesian. Kue means cake.

They were used for many different types of cakes.

The moulds were carved by local craftsmen in a variety of shapes and sizes in local wood. They may be leaves, flowers or animals. If used for festivals or ceremonies, they may be symbolic. Similar moulds were used in Malaysia and Singapore.

This one is carved with six separate cake moulds with serrated edges. 

It is in fine condition with decorative, sculptural value and a good patina.

1920s-1930s.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Cake Mould 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style:  Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 21.5 cm, Width 9.5 cm, Depth 3 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSC2

Called kotak taji, this is a small box in which razor sharp double-bladed steel spurs (taji), about 10 centimetres long,  used for a cockfight, are kept and handed down from one generation to the next. The spur should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm.  There are lots of superstitions, many of which are contained in the old palm leaf lontar books. The spur is tied on to the cock’s leg.

There was cockfighting in China in the 6th century BC. It also took place in India, Persia and Ancient Rome and in more modern times Denmark and Spain and among royalty and aristocrats in England. It was also enjoyed in the United States, Latin America and Cuba. It’s been outlawed under cruelty against animal legislation in these countries.

Centuries ago cockfighting – and gambling – were compulsory in Indonesia – and taxed. Cockfighting has been now banned by law throughout Indonesia, although it still takes place. Bali was the last island to ban it in 1981, but 3 bouts are allowed for purification purposes during a Balinese religious ceremony.  There is no need to make more spur boxes and the art will die out.

Offerings called caru,  including part of an animal, often chickens, are placed on the ground to appease bad spirits and avoid harm. Fresh blood spit on the ground from rounds of paired  roosters during cockfighting (tajen) is within this category as it delights evil demons.

It is a favourite sport for Balinese men and gambling is a big attraction.

More information about Cockfights here: https://www.murnis.com/culture/balinese-cockfights/ and in our book Secrets of Bali.

About 80-90 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Cock Fighting Spur Container 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style:  Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 19 cm, Width 8 cm, Depth 2.5 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSC1

Called kotak taji, this is a small box in which razor sharp double-bladed steel spurs (taji), about 10 centimetres long,  used for a cockfight, are kept and handed down from one generation to the next. The spur should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm.  There are lots of superstitions, many of which are contained in the old palm leaf lontar books. The spur is tied on to the cock’s leg.

There was cockfighting in China in the 6th century BC. It also took place in India, Persia and Ancient Rome and in more modern times Denmark and Spain and among royalty and aristocrats in England. It was also enjoyed in the United States, Latin America and Cuba. It’s been outlawed under cruelty against animal legislation in these countries.

Centuries ago cockfighting – and gambling – were compulsory in Indonesia – and taxed. Cockfighting has been now banned by law throughout Indonesia, although it still takes place. Bali was the last island to ban it in 1981, but 3 bouts are allowed for purification purposes during a Balinese religious ceremony.  There is no need to make more spur boxes and the art will die out.

Offerings called caru,  including part of an animal, often chickens, are placed on the ground to appease bad spirits and avoid harm. Fresh blood spit on the ground from rounds of paired  roosters during cockfighting (tajen) is within this category as it delights evil demons.

It is a favourite sport for Balinese men and gambling is a big attraction.

The carving is Twalen, the favourite Balinese clown character from the Mahabarata, the long Indian epic of the 9th century. He served  the Pandawas and is a shadow puppet in the wayang theatre. The clowns tell jokes and narrate the story for the audience. They translate the Kawi language which the others speak and few people understand. Twalen is comic but wise and a teacher, who gives advice to gods and men. He has a deformed, grotesque body like someone who has swallowed a mountain. He has a fat face and snub nose. Semar is frequently described as neither male nor female. Note he is wearing a finely checked poleng sarong, which symbolises the fight between good and evil.

He is called Semar in Java and is the Guardian God of Java and knows the wills of the gods and men.

More information about Cockfights here: https://www.murnis.com/culture/balinese-cockfights/ and in our book Secrets of Bali.

About 50-60 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Cockfighting Spur Container 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, metal, wood, paint
Style: Bali – 9 keys
Size: Instrument: Height 18 cm, Length 75 cm, Width 16 cm; Mallet: Length 28 cm, Width 11 cm
Order Number: MHSAG1

The wooden base is painted in classic Kamisan style.

19th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Gamelan appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 19 cm,  from bottom of stand to top 30 cm, Width 15 cm
Order Number: MHSABTD1

80-90 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Temple Decoration 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 19 cm,  from bottom of stand to top 38 cm, Width 12 cm
Order Number: MHSABTD2

80-90 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Temple Decoration 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 20 cm,  from bottom of stand to top 33 cm, Width 14 cm
Order Number: MHSABTD3

80-90 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Temple Decoration 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 19 cm,  from bottom of stand to top 29 cm, Width 14 cm
Order Number: MHSABTD4

80-90 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Temple Decoration 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 18.5 cm,  from bottom of stand to top 35 cm, Width 11 cm
Order Number: MHSABTD5

80-90 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Temple Decoration 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 22 cm,  from bottom of stand to top 34 cm, Width 15 cm
Order Number: MHSABTD6

80-90 years.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Temple Decoration 6 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 40.5 cm Width 12 cm (elbow to elbow)
Order Number: MHSABTD7

Dewi Sri, Balinese Rice Goddess.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Temple Decoration 7 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bronze
Style: Ban Chiang, Thailand
Size: Height 3 cm, Width 2 cm
Order Number: MHSABCF1

Ban Chiang in northeast Thailand was discovered in 1966 and is the most important prehistoric settlement discovered in Southeast Asia. The site was abandoned, perhaps because of climate change, and buried underground for at least 2,000 years. The site was again occupied in the late 18th century by farmers migrating across the nearby Mekong River.

The initial settlement of Ban Chiang took place about 1500 BC with the transition to the Bronze Age about 1000 BC. The site was continuously occupied from 1500 BC until about 900 BC. There were many burials, rich in ceramic and metal grave goods. 

It contains early evidence of settled agrarian occupation in Southeast Asia, wet rice agriculture, domesticated chickens, cattle, and pigs, and pottery.

The site has exceptional and uniquely early evidence of the knowledge of bronze-making with remains of raw materials, production facilities, and bronze tools and ornaments.

The earliest grave was about 2100 BC and the latest was about 200 AD. Bronze making began around 2000 BC. Bronze objects include spearheads, axes, adzes, hooks, blades, bracelets, rings, anklets, wires, rods, and little bells.

The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.

Map of Ban Chiang.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Ban Chiang Figures appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Copper
Style: Java, Indonesia
Size: Length 18 cm, Width 14 cm, Depth 8 cm
Order Number: MHSABS12

From our book From Tattoos to Textiles, Murni’s Guide to Asian Textiles, All You Need to Know … And More

Please ask for the price (or make an offer)

The post Antique Batik Stamp 12 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.