Indonesian Balinese Yogya, Djokja Baskets, Ca 1890

An set Indonesian, Balinese, silver baskets. The baskets with each at the sides a Kalahead (a mask of a monster lion) (Bali) between lotus flowers and floral decor. On the outside on the bottom a Balinese figure, wearing a Kala mask and digger and a Wajang figure. Inside of one basket are engraved signatures ( 7 signatures) The silver from the former Dutch colony, East Indies, present-day Indonesia, is called Djokja. Traveling salesmen and repatriates brought many silver objects with them to the Netherlands. The largest and most beautiful production is from the period 1880 to 1930.

Djokja silver is recognizable by the motifs used, such as the lotus figure, animal figures and geometric figures are also known. As a technique, Indonesian silver is considered important, something that the Europeans in Indonesia were very fond of. In addition, the silversmiths used an old regional technique: embossing; this is hammering out the silver from the outside or inside

The use of silver in Djokja silver is often difficult to determine. In Indonesia, the amount of copper in the alloy and the associated hallmarks were not taken very seriously. In some cases there is only a number indicating the alloy, sometimes together with a maker’s mark. There is no number, marks or initials on this basket

The measurement go the one with signatures is 171,5 cm high, 27,8 cm wide and the depth is 18 cm.
The weight is 510 grams. The second basket is 18 cm high, 27,5 cm wide and 17,5 cm depth. The weight of this one is 406 gram