|
|
|
Ethnographic
The competition for the art of the Outer Islands is intense-many pieces were plundered by Indonesian Army officers. A great number of souvenir shops now sell contemporary tribal baskets, bamboo containers, amulets, statuettes, tribal body ornaments and jewelry-all newly made and well crafted. Forget about finding something original. All the major museum-quality pieces were bought up over a century ago and now form parts of very old European collections. There are no Borobudur Buddha heads or Leti ancestor statues left. Balinese artists are extremely adept at reproducing ethnographic from all over the archipelago-authentic-looking Asmat carvings, Borneo hampatong figures, Nias, Batak, or Sumba-style wooden statuary. Though not the real thing, these relatively inexpensive 'antiques-to-order' are all perfectly legitimate art forms, attractive, worth every Rupiah if you can buy something you like for a good price. The best reproductions are made by the ethnic groups right in the place where they live and work. Souvenirs not to buy, lest customs in your country fine you and/or confiscate your articles, are items made with alligator, lizard, snakeskin, ivory. Combs, barrettes, and jewelry made from tortoise shell and souvenirs made of feathers, fur, dried turtles, or butterflies can also be confiscated. |
|
| Copyright © 2012, Bali-Island.com Indonesia |