Material: Wood
Style: Java, Indonesia (Savo 1)
Size: Length 262 cm, Height 250 cm, Depth 143 cm
Order Number: MHSAIF1

Chinese Wedding beds can be simple or elaborately carved. They are sometimes called canopy beds. They are like a small enclosed room on a raised platform. They are ideal daybeds. We use them in several of our rooms at Murni’s Houses & Spa.

The style of these antique beds varies greatly, with the most ornate having extensive detailed carvings, according to the region they were made, as well as the status of the owner.

Loro Blonyo figures are traditionally placed by such a bed along with cosmetic containers, jewelry boxes and decorative mirrors.

There is a similar one in Arts and Crafts of Indonesia, Anne Richter, Thames and Hudson 1993, page 67.

60-70 years old.

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

The post Antique Chinese Wedding Bed 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Java, Indonesia (Savo 2)
Size: Length 223 cm, Height 205 cm, Depth 131 cm
Order Number: MHSAIF2

Chinese Wedding beds can be simple or elaborately carved. They are sometimes called canopy beds. They are like a small enclosed room on a raised platform. They are ideal daybeds. We use them in several of our rooms at Murni’s Houses & Spa.

The style of these antique beds varies greatly, with the most ornate having extensive detailed carvings, due to the region they were made, as well as the status of the owner.

Loro Blonyo figures are traditionally placed by such a bed along with cosmetic containers, jewelry boxes and decorative mirrors.

There is a similar one in Arts and Crafts of Indonesia, Anne Richter, Thames and Hudson 1993, page 67.

60-70 years old.

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

The post Antique Chinese Wedding Bed 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Java, Indonesia
Size: Length 242 cm, Height 221 cm, Depth 142 cm
Order Number: MHSAIF3

Chinese Wedding beds can be simple or elaborately carved. They are sometimes called canopy beds. They are like a small enclosed room on a raised platform. They are ideal daybeds. We use them in several of our rooms at Murni’s Houses & Spa.

The style of these antique beds varies greatly, with the most ornate having extensive detailed carvings, due to the region they were made, as well as the status of the owner.

Loro Blonyo figures are traditionally placed by such a bed along with cosmetic containers, jewelry boxes and decorative mirrors.

There is a similar one in Arts and Crafts of Indonesia, Anne Richter, Thames and Hudson 1993, page 67.

60-70 years old.

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

The post Antique Chinese Wedding Bed 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Java, Indonesia
Size: Length 265 cm, Height 224 cm, Depth 159 cm
Order Number: MHSAIF4

Chinese Wedding beds can be simple or elaborately carved. They are sometimes called canopy beds. They are like a small enclosed room on a raised platform. They are ideal daybeds. We use them in several of our rooms at Murni’s Houses & Spa.

The style of these antique beds varies greatly, with the most ornate having extensive detailed carvings, due to the region they were made, as well as the status of the owner.

Loro Blonyo figures are traditionally placed by such a bed along with cosmetic containers, jewelry boxes and decorative mirrors.

There is a similar one in Arts and Crafts of Indonesia, Anne Richter, Thames and Hudson 1993, page 67.

60-70 years old.

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

The post Antique Chinese Wedding Bed 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Java, Indonesia
Size: Length 254 cm, Height 238 cm, Depth 156 cm
Order Number: MHSAIF5

Chinese Wedding beds can be simple or elaborately carved. They are sometimes called canopy beds. They are like a small enclosed room on a raised platform. They are ideal daybeds. We use them in several of our rooms at Murni’s Houses & Spa.

The style of these antique beds varies greatly, with the most ornate having extensive detailed carvings, due to the region they were made, as well as the status of the owner.

Loro Blonyo figures are traditionally placed by such a bed along with cosmetic containers, jewelry boxes and decorative mirrors.

There is a similar one in Arts and Crafts of Indonesia, Anne Richter, Thames and Hudson 1993, page 67.

60-70 years old.

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

The post Antique Chinese Wedding Bed 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cloth
Style: Maio, South China
Size: Height 11 cm, Width 19 cm
Order Number: MHSAMBH1

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.

From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing.  Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).

Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.

The adornments represent the Eight Immortals. In Chinese mythology, the Ba Xian or Eight Immortals, are a group of legendary heroes who  fight for justice and against evil.

The Immortals are human beings, who became immortal through self-cultivation. They sit between human beings and gods and act as mediators between earth and heaven. They are models for achieving immortality through leading a morally blameless life.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Mid 20th century.

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

The post Antique Miao Baby Hat 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cloth
Style: Maio, South China
Size: Height 10 cm, Diameter 18 cm
Order Number: MHSACHS2

Miao girl’s hat, hand cross-stitched with an elaborate pattern.

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.

From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing.  Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).

Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.

The Chinese words for ‘cat’ and ‘butterfly’ sound the same as the words for ‘octogenarian’ or ’80 year old ‘ and ‘septuagenarian’ or ’70 year old’, hence cats and butterflies symbolise a wish for longevity.

The butterfly is also a symbol for happiness and 2 butterflies are for marital happiness. It also symbolises summer and joy. They are often shown with poenies, which symbolise prosperity. Colourful butterflies often adorn baby hats.

Baby hats are sometimes decorated with pomegranates. Red pomegranates, with many green seeds inside, have a sweet and sour taste. They came from Mongolia during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The word for ‘seed’ is a hononym for ‘child’ (two words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). So, plenty of seeds, plenty of children.

Charms and designs are put on children’s hats to protect them from evil spirits and harm. Tigers or just their bulging eyes decorated boys’ hats, but not girls’ hats. Sometimes they wore matching tiger shoes. The tiger symbolises courage, dignity and ferocity. The Chinese symbol  for tiger is often written on the hat. Stone tigers in front of temples ward off ghosts, thieves and fire.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Mid 20th century.

There is a similar example in Clothings and Ornaments of China’s Miao People, The Cultural Palace of Nationalities, Beijing, China, The Nationality Press 1985, page 55.

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

The post Antique Miao Hat 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Gold-plated
Style: Minangkabau, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 50 cm, Width 42 cm
Order Number: MHSAMSBC1

When the Minangkabau converted to Islam,  they kept their traditional law and matrilineal social organisation. They remain strongly Moslem and have blended the two systems. Property and inheritance follows the female line, but maintenance of adat, the traditional law, smooth running of society and settlement of disputes is the responsibility of senior men. Many events call for ceremonies.

Minangkabau Bride and Groom.

The most elaborate head ornament is the suntiang worn by a bride at her wedding. If a woman does not have a large head of hair, a bun made of hair or finely cut pandanus leaves is attached to her hair to  support it. The most complex ones consist of a golden semicircle to which many gold or gilded ornaments are attached. Sprays of small real or cloth flowers are added.

Arranging this many-pieced crown takes well over an hour and is an art in itself. It weighs many pounds and the bride has to wear it for hours during the wedding ceremony and reception. Maybe this is the reason Minangkabau brides never smile!

Map of Minangkabau.

Mid 20th century.

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

The post Antique Minangkabau Suntiang Bridal Crown 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Gold-plated
Style: Minangkabau, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 42 cm, Width 35 cm
Order Number: MHSAMSBC2

When the Minangkabau converted to Islam,  they kept their traditional law and matrilineal social organisation. They remain strongly Moslem and have blended the two systems. Property and inheritance follows the female line, but maintenance of adat, the traditional law, smooth running of society and settlement of disputes is the responsibility of senior men. Many events call for ceremonies.

Minangkabau Bride and Groom.

The most elaborate head ornament is the suntiang worn by a bride at her wedding. If a woman does not have a large head of hair, a bun made of hair or finely cut pandanus leaves is attached to her hair to  support it. The most complex ones consist of a golden semicircle to which many gold or gilded ornaments are attached. Sprays of small real or cloth flowers are added.

Arranging this many-pieced crown takes well over an hour and is an art in itself. It weighs many pounds and the bride has to wear it for hours during the wedding ceremony and reception. Maybe this is the reason Minangkabau brides never smile!

Map of Minangkabau.

Mid 20th century.

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

The post Antique Minangkabau Suntiang Bridal Crown 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Gold-plated
Style: Minangkabau, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 48 cm, Width 35 cm
Order Number: MHSAMSBC3

When the Minangkabau converted to Islam,  they kept their traditional law and matrilineal social organisation. They remain strongly Moslem and have blended the two systems. Property and inheritance follows the female line, but maintenance of adat, the traditional law, smooth running of society and settlement of disputes is the responsibility of senior men. Many events call for ceremonies.

Minangkabau Bride and Groom.

The most elaborate head ornament is the suntiang worn by a bride at her wedding. If a woman does not have a large head of hair, a bun made of hair or finely cut pandanus leaves is attached to her hair to  support it. The most complex ones consist of a golden semicircle to which many gold or gilded ornaments are attached. Sprays of small real or cloth flowers are added.

Arranging this many-pieced crown takes well over an hour and is an art in itself. It weighs many pounds and the bride has to wear it for hours during the wedding ceremony and reception. Maybe this is the reason Minangkabau brides never smile!

Map of Minangkabau.

Mid 20th century.

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

The post Antique Minangkabau Suntiang Bridal Crown 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Kohistan, Pakistan
Size:  Height 67 cm, Width 26 cm
Order Number: MHSATWH2

Kohistan (Persian and Urdu: ‘Country of the Hills’ or ‘Highlands’) is a sparsely populated area of mountainous or hilly tracts in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Livestock (mainly sheep and goats) are raised and grains and vegetables are grown.

This is a girl’s headdress which covers the whole head and goes down covering the neck to the shoulder. Worn constantly in the harsh, mountain climate and elaborately worked with protective motifs. Ear flaps and long back panel safeguards the head.

Map of Kohistan.

Mid-20th century.

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

The post Antique Pakistan Headdress appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Metal
Style: Minangkabau, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 33 cm (in the centre), Width 51 cm
Order Number: MHSAMSBC4

When the Minangkabau converted to Islam,  they kept their traditional law and matrilineal social organisation. They remain strongly Moslem and have blended the two systems. Property and inheritance follows the female line, but maintenance of adat, the traditional law, smooth running of society and settlement of disputes is the responsibility of senior men. Many events call for ceremonies.

Minangkabau Bride and Groom.

The most elaborate head ornament is the suntiang worn by a bride at her wedding. If a woman does not have a large head of hair, a bun made of hair or finely cut pandanus leaves is attached to her hair to  support it. The most complex ones consist of a golden semicircle to which many gold or gilded ornaments are attached. Sprays of small real or cloth flowers are added.

Arranging this many-pieced crown takes well over an hour and is an art in itself. It weighs many pounds and the bride has to wear it for hours during the wedding ceremony and reception. Maybe this is the reason Minangkabau brides never smile!

Map of Minangkabau.

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

The post Minangkabau Suntiang Bridal Crown 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Metal
Style: Minangkabau, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 30 cm (in the centre), Width 47 cm
Order Number: MHSAMSBC5

When the Minangkabau converted to Islam,  they kept their traditional law and matrilineal social organisation. They remain strongly Moslem and have blended the two systems. Property and inheritance follows the female line, but maintenance of adat, the traditional law, smooth running of society and settlement of disputes is the responsibility of senior men. Many events call for ceremonies.

Minangkabau Bride and Groom.

The most elaborate head ornament is the suntiang worn by a bride at her wedding. If a woman does not have a large head of hair, a bun made of hair or finely cut pandanus leaves is attached to her hair to  support it. The most complex ones consist of a golden semicircle to which many gold or gilded ornaments are attached. Sprays of small real or cloth flowers are added.

Arranging this many-pieced crown takes well over an hour and is an art in itself. It weighs many pounds and the bride has to wear it for hours during the wedding ceremony and reception. Maybe this is the reason Minangkabau brides never smile!

Map of Minangkabau.

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

The post Minangkabau Suntiang Bridal Crown 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.