Inlaid with 70 rubies from Myanmar, Borneo diamonds and sapphires from India, and weighing more than 200 grams, this large and impressive gold necklace Balinese is a rare example of an ancient tradition traces its origins back to the royal court of the 14th century Majapahit Empire.
The shape of the pendant center, described by some as a stylized map of Dukuh or breadfruit, is in all parts of Indonesia ruled by or influenced by the Majapahit including Sumatra, Java, Borneo , Sulawesi, Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa where registered stones dating from the 7th century are located near the capital of Bima. It is suspended from a twisted gold wire chain with three six-pointed stars on each side and a long rectangular clasp which is just as beautiful even if it was at the back of the neck.
The surfaces of all components are gently worked. The edges of the sheet and the parameters of the gems in the central suspension element are framed by rows of circles representing heavenly strings of pearls. Close examination reveals interior spaces locking meanders and lotus stems and flowers gems in their centers. Including techniques for the stars and clasps are different, the former using granulation and filigree, it cut on a silver back - all flowers
Although smaller versions generally gilding were once common, examples like this are extremely rare and room clearly belonged only to the highest of the high. Another example, once part of the royal collection of the Queen of Holland, was one of the most beautiful parts of Lombok Hoard, 230 kilograms of gold jewelery and objects seized by the Dutch colonial army bombed the palace Balinese King of Lombok, Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Karangasem in 1894.
the war started in 1891 when the indigenous Sasak troops revolted after their ambitious Ngurah ordered to attack Klungkung as the first step in his plan to conquer and Bali. The Dutch opportunist intervened to "save the Sasak 'when they were on the verge of defeat. It all ended with thousands dead, including the king, a Dutch general and the first Puputan, Balinese ritual mass suicide. The famous Bali in 1906 was not the first. In 1989, the new Dutch Queen Beatrix, is the treasure returned to Indonesia. It is now in the National Museum in Jakarta. The piece described by Helen Ibbitson Jessup as a necklace for a high priest appeared in Arts Court of Indonesia, the catalog for the exhibition Indonesia.
This necklace also comes with a fascinating historical narrative. For many years, it was owned by Wendy Becker, the American wife of Abel Sorensen, Danish architect and designer who first achieved fame for her furniture, which is in many museum collections, including the MoMA. Abel and Wendy disembark in Indonesia in the early 1950s and became very close to President Sukarno who was an engineer and aspiring architect as well. Sukarno gave the task to design and build the first modern 5-star hotel in Asia, the Hotel Indonesia, which has been a source of pride and national identity since it opened in 1962. Wendy, who was particularly close Sukarno, has been described by some as one of its main sources of information on the international community at the time. During their stay in Indonesia for Sorensen would often travel to Bali. In Jakarta they Ide Anak Agung meet Gde Agung, the raja of Gianyar. Gde Agung invited them to visit his palace in Gianyar. They did it in 1956 and Abel bought the necklace for his wife who was ly in love with her and wear only for official occasions.
Gde Agung, who was briefly president of eastern Indonesia, a puppet state set up by the Dutch, with its capital in Makassar to compensate the Republic of Indonesia would continue to play an eminent role in the early the Republic of Indonesia, as well as international diplomat and thinker. A Conservative, he was a favorite of Western governments are wary comfortable Sukarno relations with the Soviet Union, Communist China and the Indonesian Communist Party. Sukarno later Gde Agung accuse of plotting against him and threw him in jail. It was a strange story based on rumors that Gde Agung had invited supporters to mass cremation of his father. Sukarno was suspicious and snubbed because he was not invited. Released by the New Order government, Agung Gde continue to serve his country until his death. It is unclear whether the necklace was used by the royal family, but the fact that he sold it suggests that there is not a legacy.
Indeed, there is no doubt that the piece dates back centuries and was made in Kamasan, Klungkung outside. Kamasan, now more famous for his style of classical painting, was also a village of silversmiths who have served the needs of the royal families across Bali. Its history dates back to the dynasty of Gelgel, who ruled East Java, Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa after the decline of the Majapahit Empire in East Java, which ended around 1500. Majapahit Like their ancestors, the Gelgel royal family was fabulously wealthy and loved gold jewelry. A small fortune in gold objects was also taking them in 1908 in the final showdown with the Netherlands, which marked the end of the Balinese independence. These parts, too, are in the National Museum in Jakarta. They include gold flutes, jackets, kris handles and betel boxes inlaid with huge diamonds as big as pigeon eggs, as well as rubies and sapphires. There are also countless rings, bracelets and necklaces. Indeed, the production is so similar that it is difficult not to believe that they all come from the same source. These objects belong to Bali the "Golden Age" when he was politically, militarily and artistically to its height. They stand as a reminder of the glorious imperial past of the island.