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Pasar Rawabening literally means Clear Swamp Market but there's definitely nothing swamp-like about this place. Pasar Rawabening is a market that specialises in gems, precious and semi precious stones and the mystical Indonesian keris (dagger). Years ago, when I visited it for the very first time with my Aunt, it was a traditional market. The shops were not so modern, and the wares sold on wooden ratty tables. Now, it is a modernised market place. There are shops with glittering gems in glass encased display tables, strands of beads and semi-precious stones hanging tidily off the walls and overall, a more organised feel to the whole place.  Display table at Kemilau Rezeki shop  Close up of rings on display at Kemilau Rezeki shop  Gemstones at Kemilau Rezeki shop Amongst of all the nice shops, there is a section in the middle with small stalls/kiosks that reminds me of the old version of the market. Here, the displays are more modest but I don't think that deterred the customers from buying (I noticed these stalls/kiosks were actually more busy than some of the proper shops).  This man is surrounded by plastic bags full of hundreds of rings ready to be fitted with stones. His kiosk is called Akas and they specialise in ring fitting.  A close up of the ring fitting. He told me that he can fit hundreds of rings within a day, but it all depends on the number of orders.  These guys work in the same kiosk. I was told the kiosks usually do not have their own business names. The torch light on the right is being used to look at the stone's grains.  Close up of the rings on sale at the kiosk. I then stumbled upon a shop that is called Toko Keris Sakti, or the magic keris shop. I cheekily asked the owner, Hj Rosida, if the keris really have magic. She explained to me that the keris in her shop really do have special powers. In the olden days, keris was used as weapons in warfare. So a magical keris would help the wielder to win fights.  Rows of keris on the wall of Toko Keris Sakti Magical keris are made by experienced craftsmen who would fast before they begin the making process. Magical keris also require special treatments, including oiling them at certain times in the Javanese calendar. Nowadays, keris are more used for decorational purposes. Collecting keris is often done by high ranking government officials (or pejabat). Some of her clients would adorn the keris they purchased from her with gold or precious stones, to add to the value of the keris.  A decorative new keris, magic not included. Speaking of value, these keris are not cheap. Prices start at 2.5 million Rupiah (about $250 AUD) for new keris without magic and only for decorational purposes. Original, antique keris with magic cost an upward of 10 million Rupiah (about $1000 AUD).  This was my favourite piece from the shop.  Under the cover, there is this little beauty. It is made of keris materials. The next shop I visited was a beads shop, also selling semi-precious stones and the tools to making jewellery.  Mutiara Indah (Beautiful Pearls) Accessories shop  The shopkeeper making a pearl necklace for me! I took the opportunity to purchase some freshwater pearls and then have them made into a necklace. While waiting for that to happen, my Mum and I started chatting the the shop owner (an older lady in her 60s) about what I was doing in Jakarta. Why I was taking photos and asking so many questions! Funny enough, the main conversation topic turned to the fact that even though I have been married for a while, I don't have kids. The shop owner kept on stressing the importance of having children (e.g. to take care of you when you are old and to continue the family line, etc., etc., etc.). I took it all on board but it tickles me that despite of all of my achievements (great job, good education, happy marriage, good health and the rest), the main focus of the shop owner was that I don't have children. On the way out, we walked pass a shop that specialises in jade. The shop keeper told me that all the jade comes from China and a lot of the other gems in the market usually comes from China too.  Sumber Giok (Jade Origin) shop  Close up of some of the jade works - these are sold by weight and the price depends on the quality. If you would like more information about these shops (e.g. contact number or exact address in the market), drop me a line via the Contact page.
Also just warning you that most of my blogs in the next few weeks will be very visual based with lots of photos. So apologies for spamming your email inbox. PS: I've started on my ceramic learning journey with the artist F. Widayanto at his beautiful home studio in the hills of Tapos, Bogor. I am so thrilled and excited, just like a kid in a candy shop!
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I have been to so many wonderful places in the past few days.
I have visited Pasar Rawabening, a market that specialises in precious and semi precious stones, where I had a beautiful necklace of freshwater pearls made. Went to the Jakarta Contemporary Ceramics Biennale where I was amazed and very proud of the quality of Indonesian ceramics. I visited the Museum of Art and Ceramics in central Jakarta and visited the old town part of Jakarta. I visited an art market and delightfully purchased a real, antique bronze batik stamp tool. I stumbled upon a mobile library bus and went to a shop that sells many wonderful things that I can utilise for ceramics! Unfortunately technology has failed me and I'm unable to connect my laptop to a decent internet connection. Stay tuned to more in depth writing next week where I will have access to the internet. (this is written via my mobile app-which is very limited) |