RI jewelry designs have many sources<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Remarkable gold jewelry, household and
\nceremonial utensils, and weapons have been crafted in Indonesia
\nsince the 4th century.<\/p>\n
Many crowns, necklaces, medallions and earrings were
\ndiscovered at a site of the former Majapahit Kingdom, which ruled
\nJava and other islands including Mallaca (now Malaysia) between
\nthe 7th and 8th centuries.<\/p>\n
Jewelry in Indonesia is made of a broad range of materials and
\nexpresses many regional characteristics. It has been fashioned
\nfor almost all parts of the body -- head, ears, neck, arms,
\ntorso, legs and feet. The jewelry often embodies symbols
\nrepresenting myths and links to religious power. It is not merely
\nfor decoration, but emphasizes the link between the ruler and the
\nruled, and the ruler and supernatural forces. Some of the images
\nused include the naga (dragon) in bracelets from Kalimantan and a
\nkala (monster) in jewelry from Central Java.<\/p>\n
Evidence proves that prehistoric people in Indonesia wore
\nsimple jewelry made of wood, stones, animal bones and leather in
\nthe form of necklaces, bracelets and head decorations. Both men
\nand women wore this primitive jewelry.<\/p>\n
The jewelry is still worn by indigenous tribes in Nias
\n(Sumatra), Dayak (Kalimantan), Toraja (South Sulawesi), and
\nIrian, Maluku and Sumba (East Nusa Tenggara).<\/p>\n
The making of jewelry was later influenced by the penetration
\nof advanced civilizations. The introduction of new materials,
\nincluding gold, silver, bronze and other types of metal, changed
\nthe jewelry making process.<\/p>\n
\"New models of jewelry were produced for various purposes.
\nAlthough the technique was still very simple, the designs were
\nquite enchanting. Many of these old designs are still produced
\nnow,\" said Wahyono Martowikrido, head of the archaeological
\ndepartment of the National Museum.<\/p>\n
Golden age<\/p>\n
In the golden age of the Indonesian Hindu and Buddha kingdoms,
\njewelry designs developed tremendously as can be seen in the
\nreliefs on several Hindu and Buddhist temples in Central Java.
\nThe reliefs feature figures wearing elaborate jewelry. Wahyono
\nsaid the jewelry was used in wedding festivities, performances
\nand rituals.<\/p>\n
In this period, the gold jewelry distinguished the social
\nstatus of the wearer.<\/p>\n
\"People from the lowest caste were only allowed to wear
\njewelry designed specifically for them. If they wore jewelry
\nintended for higher-ranked caste, they violated an unwritten
\nrule,\" Wahyono explained.<\/p>\n
The offending person could cause disaster to himself and the
\nwhole community, he added.<\/p>\n
During that period control of people of different social
\nstatus was tight and they believed that precious materials,
\nincluding gold and stones, had sacred power, said Wahyono, who
\nwrote a book on gold jewelry entitled Old Javanese Gold.<\/p>\n
The emergence of the Islamic kingdoms in Sumatra, Java,
\nKalimantan and Sulawesi brought other significant modifications
\nto gold jewelry.<\/p>\n
A striking 18th century crown from the Banten Sultanate, which
\nhas strong Islamic designs, is an example from the period. The
\ncrown is now part of the gold jewelry collection of the National
\nMuseum. In several Moslem sultanates in Aceh, Palembang and Java,
\na large number of jewelry and interior decorations, clearly are
\nof Islamic design.<\/p>\n
Influences from the west also colored the development of
\nIndonesian jewelry design. The Dutch introduced new ideas when
\nthey brought over European design elements -- the classical and
\nromantic roots to modern jewelry designs.<\/p>\n
A large number of royal accessories, including thrones and
\nhousehold utensils were made in the European fashion. These are
\nfound mainly in the Surakarta Hadiningrat palace. In l984, much
\nof the European-style gold jewelry was destroyed in a fire. (raw)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-jewelry-designs-have-many-sources-1447893297",
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