Siva statue found in Lombok

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: A bronze statue of Hindu deity Siva has been found in the East Lombok village of Peringga.

Head of the local museum, Joko Prayitno, told Antara on Tuesday the 40-centimeter-tall antique was believed to have belonged to King Gel-gel who ruled about 200 years ago.

The Peringga farmer who discovered it was about to sell it to a collector from Bali. He called off the sale after museum staff persuaded him of its historical value.

"He planned to sell it because he was in need of money," Joko said.

The museum will host a national antiques exhibition in August. It has collected about 6,700 cultural relics, including old manuscripts, kris and crowns from the Lombok and Bima kingdoms. (amd)