YOGYAKARTA THE HANDICRAFT HEAVEN

One of the great pleasure of going on holiday, apart from the sightseeing and touring, must be the shopping for handicraft. The thrill of finding the perfect handicraft, such as ceramics, leather shadow puppets and batik, at the perfect price is universal. A tourism center like Yogyakarta probably wouldn't have become as popular as it is without the option for some 'handicraft retail theraphy'.

Yogyakarta has long been known as the "Handicraft Heaven". The hundreds years old temples are the evidences of Yogyakarta's richness of creativity and art. Kasongan has been (for centuries) famous for it's pottery. Kotagede is famous as a center of silver handicraft.

  • Batik
    Batik is a unique art form, a combination between artistic expression and technical skill of which Indonesia is considered to produced the finest in the world. While available as a factory-made product, much of it is still done by hand using beeswax, paraffin and a multi-color cloth dyeing process.

  • Painting
    Paintings by famous Indonesia artists such Raden Saleh, Affandi, Amri Yahya and Sapto Hudoyo can be found in the numerous galleries and studios around Yogya.

  • Silver
    A small town called Kotagede is famous as a center of silver production (in the area) and visitors are welcomed to tour the workshops and outlets to see the artisans work. It's located 6 kms from the city center.

  • Leather Crafts
    The finished product for the leather craft industry can be in the form of puppets, famous as "Wayang Kulit" performers, room decorations, bags, sandals, clothing, fans and many small souvenir items.
    Those products can be found easily in the stores or on sidewalk stalls on Jalan Malioboro, Beringharjo Market, Kauman, etc.

  • Earthenware and Ceramics
    The most famous village for this handicraft is Kasongan, located about 7 kilometers from Yogya. Kasongan products in wide variety of styles and sizes used for artistic and practical purposes are very famous both in Indonesia and as export.

  • Wood, Rattan, and Bamboo Crafts
    Yogya is a buyer's paradise for these handicrafts. Wood, rattan and bamboo can be found made into many attractive craft items for interior home decoration and gifts.

  • Tortoise Shell and Horn Craft
    The shell of turtles and the horn of water buffaloes or cows are also used in traditional handicraft. Lestari Mulyo workshop in Kota Gede produces handicrafts such as bracelets, necklaces, rings, hair pins, and serving spoons. Besides Kota Gede, these craft articles can be found along the sidewalks of Malioboro or at the craft center in Jalan Adisucipto.

  • Brassware, Copperware
    Besides being famous for its silverware, Kota Gede is also famous for its brassware and copperware. Traditional brass product like betel nut sets, smoker's sets, ceiling lamps and many useful decorative items can be found in shops in Kota Gede and Beringharjo market on the south part of Malioboro.

  • Masks (topeng)
    Masks are made of metal, wood or some other material resembling the features of a person or an animal taken from the rich Ramayana tales still very much part of the living culture of Java. Art shops everywhere in Yogya sell 'topeng' in many shapes or forms, but of course varying in quality.

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