These bangkirai stools are limited, first in first served, so don’t miss out! Every now and then, one of our people out sourcing in the villages and towns comes up with something interesting. So it happened again this week, when one of our collectors discovered 50 old stools made of bangkirai. Bangkirai (shorea laeviis) is a heavy timber. It was often used … Read More

These sets of old oil scoops have many uses a long history and some quite interesting features! In the old days, things were much simpler. You could go to the butcher, and order exactly what and how much you wanted. And there was very little packaging to throw away. Likewise, when you ordered oil or kerosene or sometimes petrol the … Read More

These teak benches are excellent value! Most evenings in Java, when a hard day’s work is finished and the sun is setting in the west, the village folk sit on their risban benches on their verandahs, greeting and gossiping with the neighbours as they pass by. It’s a most pleasant time of the day. Risban benches grace almost all kampung … Read More

These Wondrous Lounging Sets are made of Recycled Tyres! Everyone is keen on recycling. We all try and reduce waste to a minimum, which is difficult now in this world where most things are overpackaged, have a very short lifespan, and are difficult to repair. One of the hardest to dispose of is old tyres; they don’t disintegrate easily and … Read More

These magnificent old waterpots are not only a piece of history, but have many  wonderful uses! To the south of Solo lies a very arid region of Java called Gunung Kidul (southern mountains in Javanese). This is kaust country, where the underlieing limestone allows for little water retention. The rain in the monsoon season quickly soaks through the soil and … Read More

The wood panelling comes in a variety of pattern, and as well as looking stunning on the wall! What do you do with leftover scrap wood? Here in Indonesia, almost everything has a value. Old metal, plastic, cement sacks – these are gathered up and sold to the rosok-rosok, or scrap dealers, who in turn sell them on to foundries, plastic … Read More

These unique tins are ideal for storage food, knitting wool, odds  and ends – you name it! Krupuk, or rice crackers, are an important part of Indonesian cruisine, and every eating house from the tiniest warung to the flashiest restaurant inevitably has a tin of them on the table. Diners help themsolves, and in a sort of honour system, tell … Read More

These trays have a marvellous shabby chic look that would grace any home! Our world is changing, ever more rapidly. Things that seemed new and modern a few years ago are suddenly very old fashioned these days. PC computers, camera film, fixed line telephones, television; the list goes on and on. So it is not surprising that many of the … Read More

How ancient wood from a rural bridge in Java ended up as a massive table! A village bridge in rural Java had faithfully served the community well. It had been built by the farmers’ great-grandparents to connect their kampung to the neighboring town. They had cut timbers from the giant teak trees in their communal forest, and hewn them into … Read More

The most amazing treasures can be found in the boneyards of Yogyakarta’s terracotta industry villages! A rich history of terracotta pottery Yogyakarta is the seat of one of the oldest and most powerful sultanates in Indonesia, and is considered the centre for culture, arts and crafts in the Indonesian peninsula. One of the age old crafts that has flourished in … Read More