| | | | Throughout the ages civilisations have used stone to carve out their message to future generations some better known examples include Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Easter Island, Machu Picchu (Peru) and Boroduhur (Java, Indonesia) .
The Borobudhur monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Central Java, which comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues (photo Stupa-Borobudhur). The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. Evidence suggests Borobudur was abandoned following the fourteenth century decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, and the Javanese conversion to Islam. Check out www.wikipedia.com for more information. |
| | In Bali the better known examples of stone monuments include the Hindu temples at UluWatu (above) and Besakih, but all villages and most private dwellings will have temples, carvings, statues pots and bas relief wall panels. It is an integral part of Bali life, religion and culture. Bali would be unrecognisable without stone and carvings. |
| With all this tradition and experience in working stone it is no surprise that Indonesia is home to some of the best stone carvers in the world. The intricate detailing of the carved stoneworks showcases Indonesia's exceptional indigenous talent in stonecarving (above). Suppliers have traditional inhouse training schemes and many years of experience among their resident carvers.
Before it reaches you, each piece of stone goes through a long process and is prepared by a number of different craftsmen along the way (above). In general the stone slab is given a rough sketch of its intended design and is then rough carved to give it some texture before being handed over to the master carvers for its fine detailing (see above). The teamwork involved makes it impossible to assign a specific carver to each piece and master carvers are reluctant to exclude their apprentices from getting credit for their contribution (see below).
There are no Gordon Ramsays here! | |
| | | The non-stone products carried by ASIAN OPUS are made with no less care and skill. Our sun parasols are made by Bali's best umbrella maker, a titled earned at Bali's Art Festival and one which is fiercely challenged each year. Each parasol takes a week to make and requires painstaking attention to detail by the largely female craftworkers.
While they don't seem like craftspeople we would like to acknowledge the dedication of the team of packers who expertly crate each individual piece to ensure its safe journey from Bali to Ireland. Crates are handmade from wood. We try and reuse the crates in the delivery your order as often as possible. |
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