Tempo Doeloe Auction 11 March 2012 | Selected Items

Here is a selection of the items that will be auctioned at the SIDHartA Auctioneer Tempo Doeloe auction, at the Bali Art Center, Jl. Nusa Indah, Denpasar, this Sunday, 11 March 2012, starting at 1:30 pm.

For the e-catalog, please visit: http://sidhartaauctioneer.com/ecat/2012/va11032012/

 

 

[slideshow]

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037

Pair of Palace Cabinets, 19^th century

Featuring the primordial naga dragons of Java’s ancient mythology, this refined pair of cabinets is noteworthy not only for its fine carving, gold leaf and cinnabar but also by the presence of the original tables upon which they rest. In most cases these are lost.

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038

Ritual Throne or Batik Table (Madura or East Java) 19^th century

One of the primary tasks of Javanese princesses was the manufacture of fine batik sarongs, long cloths, scarves and head-cloths.  Elevated tables with a throne-like back featuring a crossbar for hanging the cloth being worked upon and carving usually featuring a pair of primordial naga dragons were used for drawing the wax designs. These tables were also used as throne backs that can be traced back to Hindu-Buddhist art.

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053, 056

Wedding Effigy Figures (loro blonyo), Ponorogo Region, East Java, 19^th century

The carving and placement of male-female figures (loro blonyo) representing the bride and groom as Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice, and Mas Sadono, an incarnation of Vishnu, were an essential part of the wedding rituals of Javanese royalty well into the 20^thcentury. Associated with fertility and the ancestors, the figures were placed in special altar beds and received regular offerings to ensure harmony and prosperity. A latter day version of the ancestor figures of the Austronesians, the loro blonyo of the more sophisticated Javanese palaces were refined and beautiful. These vigorous rough hewn pairs are rare examples of the same tradition practiced in the hinterlands of East Java.

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057

Impressive Palace Cabinet (lemari kraton), 19^th century

With minimal use of color and touches of gold leaf, this stately cabinet still displays its original hardware.

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058

Storage Chest from a single piece of teakwood (palungan) 19^th century

Palungan are one of the oldest forms of furniture in Java. Carved from the trunk of a single teakwood tree, their sliding lids are fixed with wooden pins. Used for the storage of family heirlooms, like this example, they often feature ancient motifs with now forgotten magical symbols.

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059

Village Headman’s Adminstrative Table (meja lurah) 19^th century

Often made of a single large slab of teakwood with turned legs, meja lurah were designed to mirror the importance of the administrative head (lurah) who used them. Based on Dutch baroque tables, over the years they would be infused with Javanese style.

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060

Magnificent Pair of Kraton Cabinets (lemari keraton), 19^th century

Profusely and finely carved with naga dragons, and floral scenes further enhanced by cinnabar and gold leaf, this matching pair of cabinets was probably made in the vicinity of Solo, Central Java and used in a major palace. Examples of this quality and beauty are rare.

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061

Javanese Chest with Floral Carving, Original fittings, goldleaf, 19^th century

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063

Pair of Palace Book Cases (lemari buku kraton) from Kota Gede circa 1920

This rare and beautiful pair of bookcases are masterpieces of a Baroque royal style that prevailed in Kota Gede, the royal city just south of Jogjakarta. In perfect condition except for the missing glass panes they feature the sumptuous use of gold leaf, cinnabar and natural green pigments.

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064

Striking Ritual Bed (ranjang), East Java, 19^th century

The stark and beautiful lines of this striking bed is a fine example of the impressive rustic style custom made for the wealthy landowners of East Java’s interior.