Original Indonesian solid wood furniture has many elements of mainstream carving design. The art of wood carving is one of Indonesia’s superior products that other countries do not have. Uniquely, the art of carving in Indonesia comes in many motifs and designs. Almost every region in Indonesia has its own carving characteristics. To distinguish them, the carving works named according to the region such as: Jepara carving, Balinese carving, Yogyakarta carving and more. What are the characteristics of carving areas in Indonesia?

Jepara style
Jepara is one of the regions in Indonesia, the center of carving furniture products which always demanded by many importers. The type of relief or carving motif from Jepara has become a characteristic of Indonesian furniture items produced to date. Its elegance and simple form translate very well in solid wood products. Notice the Jeparan motifs are derived from traditional Javanese reliefs with many foreign cultural influences such as European, Arabic, and even Chinese.

Yogyakarta Style
Yogyakarta carvings have elements of Hindu, Buddhist, and Chinese influences. There are a number of motifs that you can find in furniture produced in Yogyakarta. Let’s take a look at them:

Dragon Motif: This motif is influenced by Chinese culture. Its flowing forms are impressive and require detailed carving.
Garuda motif: Garuda is a bird-like creature from Hindu mythology and has become a major element in Indonesia’s traditional furniture market.
Floral motifs: The only floral motif used in the Yogyakarta style is the “heavenly flower” of the lotus which has both Hindu and Chinese origins.
Geometric motifs: The most popular geometric motif in Indonesian furniture is “Wajikan.” It is Javanese and has a trapezoidal shape.

Balinese Style
The furniture you find in Bali is usually labeled “antique”. They are not genuine antiques, just unfinished products from Java that have been processed to imitate a vintage aura. In addition, the Balinese style only takes inspiration from Jepara and Yogyakarta styles with contemporary touch.

So, this is all you need to know about Indonesia furniture. Indonesia is a top-ranked country in furniture exports and famous for its sturdy and beautiful products. You will definitely appreciate having authentic Indonesian masterpieces in your home!

–sh