Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lombok

You will notice that many of my products are from Lombok. It’s very likely that you don’t even know where Lombok is. Lombok is a small island close to Bali and is primarily inhabited by Sasaks who are Muslims. The art in Lombok is very different from that of  Bali and Balinese art is very different from Javanese art.

Much Balinese art is religious and traditional. The wood carvings are usually painted brightly and there is much use of gold. Lombok carvings depict animals in weird positions and shapes. Humans are rarely carved and when they are, they are not depicted realistically. Often the carvings are not painted, but some are, using bright colours and little gold. #60 below is a good example of this.

Panel #38 is another example of a Lombok painted wooden carving.

All my ikat holders and hangers were purchased in Lombok. #240

Traditional Balinese masks are of people or mythological characters as is this mask of  Barong , the dog-lion like  creature who is considered to be the protector of mankind. #95

Most masks from Lombok have the same carved features.  It is the tattoo designs [sometimes carved designs] which are original.

#100, #101

I once read, “Bali is endless elaboration and Lombok is simplicity itself.” You might not find Lombok as exciting a tourist destination

as Bali , but the wood carving is great!

Indonesia is my favourite country because each island [and there are many of them] has its own distinctive culture and its own art forms.

Donna Davidson

Easter Gifts and Decorations

In my last blog, I showed two icons [reverse paintings in glass] from Romania. In both Romania and Bulgaria the walls and ceilings of the churches are completely covered by icon style paintings. The picture below is of the interior a church in Bulgaria, but I do have many pictures of church interiors in Romania.

In Russia and throughout the world, Faberge eggs are very famous. As I mentioned in my last blog ,Easter is the most important religious holiday for Orthodox Christians. In Russia eggs are blessed and given as gifts  on Easter Sunday.

In 1885 Czar Alexander III was extremely impressed with Carl Faberge’s work and commissioned him to make an Easter egg as a gift for his Empress on Easter morning. His Empress was delighted with the beautiful egg and Faberge continued to make imperial eggs until 1917. His eggs and other items became extremely popular with the Russian aristocracy who bought both large and smaller eggs which the women could wear as necklaces or pendants.

Below is a replica of a Faberge egg which I purchased in Russia[#684]  In addition, I have 2 small eggs also purchased in Russia which can be worn as earrings or a pendant.

This little rabbit [#685] and cloisonne egg [#686] would make good Easter decorations or gifts. The rabbit is metal land looks as though it is brass although I couldn’t guarantee it. Also, I have similar silver coloured metal rabbits. I have many small cloisonne Easter eggs in various colours.

The eggs below [#687, 688, 689] were made by the Huichol Indians in Mexico whose crafts are very famous. The eggs were made on a wooden base covered with a thin layer of beeswax overlaid by pine pitch. Then small beads are pressed into the glue like substance to make the patterns. Needless to say, this work is very time intensive.  These eggs could be used to make an Easter tree.

There are more Easter decorative items below [#692, 693,694]. The small stone rabbit is from China as is the beautiful golden cloisonne egg and the small cloisonne bird.  Most of Faberge’s eggs contained a surprise inside the egg. The small cloisonne bird could be used for that as could any other small item -a ring?

Remember that Orthodox Easter is on May 5 this year, so if  you need a gift or decoration, there is still plenty of time to order them.

I realize that my shipping cost seem high, but if you order more than one item the shopping costs would be less.  Even though for Paypal you would have to pay the stated amount up front, I could reimburse you by cheque and I an  honest person.

Happy Easter!

Donna Davidson

Easter 2013

Easter will be here soon. It really annoys me that some calendars are so “politically correct” now that they don’t even mention religious holidays such as Easter.  This year Western Easter [Protestants and Roman Catholics] is on March 31, whereas Orthodox Easter is on May 5.

For Orthodox Christians Easter is the most important holiday of the year. I have visited Romania, Bulgaria, [Russia, Greece-many years ago]. Both the Romanians and the Bulgarians seem to be very religious and have highly decorated churches. Romanians have a tradition of making reverse painting on glass icons.  This was started in a monastery in Nicula, Transylvania during  the 17th century.  Traditionally, many icons were painted during the winter.

I bought a number of these icons in Romania and have two which would be particularly suitable for Easter. Item #196 below is a beautiful icon of the Virgin Mary with the crusifixion in the bottom right hand corner. The gold in the painting seems to be gold leaf rather than gold paint.

Item # 127 is an icon of the crucifixion. Again the gold seems to be gold leaf rather than gold paint.

Now for something a little more secular. #562,563,564 are lovely small cloisonne eggs from China which can make  fairly sophisticated Easter gifts or be used for Easter decorations.  Also, I have similar larger eggs which are not on the website.

A hand carved wooden rooster from Bali, #141 is an item that could be used as an Easter decoration, too.

One last suggestion this time around is  a delicate quite beautiful metal bird from Laos. #143

I am intending to put up pictures of some of my other Easter items soon. -Hopefully before our Easter, but definitely before Orthodox Easter

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is coming soon.  Don’t leave it until the last minute to buy a rushed gift for your beloved. [S]he deserves better than that! There are many items on my website which would make very appropriate unusual gifts. Item #27 below, a hand carved relief wooden panel of Rama and Sita, the great Hindu lovers from the sacred Ramyana Epic would make a spectacular gift! Item #26a is a larger panel of Rama and Sita. Also, these carvings would make great wedding or special anniversary gifts.
This heart shaped box made out of colored palm leaves from Lombok would make a very unusual, appropriate Valentine’s gift for either a man or a woman. [Item #307]
Do you frequently send flowers to your beloved on Valentine’s Day just because it is the easiest?  They are very nice for a few days, but then they are gone. Why not give her [him] a marble box with beautifully carved flowers which will last much longer and be a great deal more useful in the long run? Items #298, #299 below would make wonderful permanent Valentine’s gifts. Items #294, 295, 296, 300, 301 have lovely flower patterns, also.
If your budget is not very large, or if you just want to give a smaller gift, these small hand carved Balinese wooden statues of lovers might be just what you are looking for.  Items #590, 591, 592
Representations of marriage couples are extremely important in Java and are often found in Javanese homes. Item #124 below is just such a traditional marriage couple. All the marriage couples on my website are from Java and are hand carved and hand painted wood. Take a look at #125, 126,127, 128. Items #129, 586, 587, 588,  589 are smaller carvings.  All the marriage couples are suitable gifts for for Valentine’s Day, engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Christmas Sales

Hi Everybody,

Christmas is coming soon and I’m having a series of Open Houses which I hope you can attend.  I have many more items than appear on my website such as jewelry, scarves, place mats, toys, and more wooden objects. Many of the objects are less expensive than the ones which appear on my website.  For example, I have two 10 inch hand carved wooden Santas from Bali for $5 and $7.  The Open Houses are as follows:

Sun., Dec. 9              13:00 – 17:00 hrs.

Thurs., Dec. 13       17:00 – 21:00 hrs.

Sat., Dec. 15             13:00 – 17:00 hrs.

Sun., Dec.16             13:00 – 17:00 hrs.

Address: 4710 Queen Mary Rd., Apt. 9 ,[near the Snowdon Metro]

Telephone: 514-739-5744

If these times don’t suit you, You can telephone me or e-mail me and make a separate appointment. I’m open until Dec. 24.  My store is in my apartment, so if you come, be prepared for a surprise!

I hope to see you before Christmas!