Material: Brass, wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Cylinder: Height 24 cm, Diameter 3 cm; Pounder: Height 24 cm, Diameter (at top) 5 cm; Stick: Height 23 cm
Order Number: MHSABBP2

Betel chewing was widespread in Bali and offered to guests as a sign of welcome. It was – and is still – offered to the gods and ancestors in ceremonies.

The basic ingredients are betel leaf, areca nut and lime powder. Gambir and tobacco may be added  to make it more fragrant.

The containers and implements included boxes of various shapes and sizes to store the betel nuts,  betel leaf holders for the already prepared betel quid, lime pots, hinged cutters , similar to scissors, to cut the hard areca nut, knives to cut the softer nuts, pounders to crush the nut, salve boxes to hold beeswax for the lips, spittoons, tobacco pouches and trays on which they all were displayed.

The betel pounder was like a mortar and pestle. It came in various sizes and its purpose was to crush the areca nut into a soft substance for the elderly or those who had no teeth and could not chew the hard nut. The pounder was a long metal instrument with a handle and sharpened tip, which pressed down on the nut inside a tall hollow cylinder.

About 80-90 years.

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

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

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 49.5 cm, Width 7 cm, Depth 3.25 cm
Order Number: MHSABCM1

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 three 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 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 43 cm, Width 7 cm, Depth 2.25 cm
Order Number: MHSABCM2

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 three 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).

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

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

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 39 cm, Width 5.5 cm, Depth 2.5 cm
Order Number: MHSABCM3

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 five 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 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 39 cm, Width 6 cm, Depth 4 cm
Order Number: MHSABCM4

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 four 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 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: Length 19 cm, Width 6.5 cm, Depth 6 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSCO3

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.  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.

Cock spurs were regarded in similar terms as the blades for a kris and chanting a mantra while forging a spur was believed to imbue it with magical power. Other rules related to the taji – they should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm. Menstruating women were not permitted to even look at a taji, nor could one be touched by anyone who had a family member that had recently died.

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 case has a superb, deep patina. There are 10 compartments and each compartment can contain 4 spurs. There are 4 holes for this purpose in each internal compartment, so it could hold 40 spurs.

The painting style is from the village of Kamasan in the kingdom of Klungkung in east Bali, which became the centre for traditional Balinese painting. Originally, the Kamasan artists served the kings of Gelgel from the 16th century. Kamasan is only about 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) from Gelgel, where the court reigned during Bali’s golden age.

The unique wayang style of painting was Bali’s only form of pictorial representation until the 20th century when the Western artists arrived in central Bali and influenced artists to paint realistic scenes of everyday life.

The subject-matter tends to come from the Ramayana and Mahabarata epic stories, frequently battle scenes and especially the story of Rama, Sita and Rawana. There are gods, demons, birds, flames, bushes, trees and mythical animals.

The high quality suggests it was owned by a member of a royal family.

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

Late 19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese Cock Fighting Spur Container 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style:  Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 20 cm, Width 5.5 cm, Depth 5 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSC4

Called kotak taji, this is a small box in which razor sharp double-bladed steel spurs (taji), used for a cockfight, are kept and handed down from one generation to the next.  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.

Cock spurs were regarded in similar terms as the blades for a kris and chanting a mantra while forging a spur was believed to imbue it with magical power. Other rules related to the taji – they should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm. Menstruating women were not permitted to even look at a taji, nor could one be touched by anyone who had a family member that had recently died.

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 case has a superb, deep patina. There are 10 compartments and each compartment can contain 3 spurs. There are 3 holes for this purpose in each internal compartment, so it could hold 30 spurs.

The painting style is from the village of Kamasan in the kingdom of Klungkung in east Bali, which became the centre for traditional Balinese painting. Originally, the Kamasan artists served the kings of Gelgel from the 16th century. Kamasan is only about 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) from Gelgel, where the court reigned during Bali’s golden age.

The unique wayang style of painting was Bali’s only form of pictorial representation until the 20th century when the Western artists arrived in central Bali and influenced artists to paint realistic scenes of everyday life.

The subject-matter tends to come from the Ramayana and Mahabarata epic stories, frequently battle scenes and especially the story of Rama, Sita and Rawana. There are gods, demons, birds, flames, bushes, trees and mythical animals.

The high quality suggests it was owned by a member of a royal family.

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

Late 19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese Cock Fighting Spur Container 4 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
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 33 cm, Length 23 (base), Width 22 cm (base)
Order Number: MHSABHPB1

Balinese buildings follow traditional design principles and incorporate structural columns at the corners of the buildings and within the walls as primary structural elements so that the buildings are strong and flexible enough to withstand earthquakes.

The main load-bearing parts of the building are a timber post and beam framework, which supports the roof. The height of the posts is determined by the measurements of the house owner’s body.

The posts rest on bases, which are sometimes decorated, called umpak.

Balinese House Post Base.

Early – mid 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese House Post Base 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 42 cm, Length 29 (base), Width 28 cm (base)
Order Number: MHSABHPB2

Balinese buildings follow traditional design principles and incorporate structural columns at the corners of the buildings and within the walls as primary structural elements so that the buildings are strong and flexible enough to withstand earthquakes.

The main load-bearing parts of the building are a timber post and beam framework, which supports the roof. The height of the posts is determined by the measurements of the house owner’s body.

The posts rest on bases, which are sometimes decorated, called umpak.

Balinese House Post Base.

Early – mid 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese House Post Base 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 32 cm, Length 24 (base), Width 24 cm (base)
Order Number: MHSABHPB3

Balinese buildings follow traditional design principles and incorporate structural columns at the corners of the buildings and within the walls as primary structural elements so that the buildings are strong and flexible enough to withstand earthquakes.

The main load-bearing parts of the building are a timber post and beam framework, which supports the roof. The height of the posts is determined by the measurements of the house owner’s body.

The posts rest on bases, which are sometimes decorated, called umpak.

Balinese House Post Base.

Early – mid 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese House Post Base 3 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.