The ‘Joglo’ – Javanese Architecture Featured at David Alan Collection

‘Joglo’ is the architectural vernacular for Javanese structures. Built to last, they are made of teak wood, which is beautiful as well as an enduring outdoor material. They are constructed without nails or screws using a variety of joinery techniques including ‘Mortise and Tenon’, 'Half-Lap' and 'Tongue and Groove'. The four tallest columns or ‘King Posts’ form the central part of the house or pavilion. Consecutively shorter columns extend outward to carry the rest of the sloping roof creating a vaulted central area. It relies on this tall main structure for support rather than the bearing walls of western styles which would inhibit crucial, natural ventilation.

The Joglo House Frame – Beautiful Teak, Post and Beam Style Building Framework. And the DAC crew victorious after a full day spent assembling this beauty in the store front.

‘Joglo’ is the architectural vernacular for Javanese structures. Built to last, they are made of teak wood, which is beautiful as well as an enduring outdoor material. They are constructed without nails or screws using a variety of joinery techniques including ‘Mortise and Tenon’, 'Half-Lap' and 'Tongue and Groove'. The four tallest columns or ‘King Posts’ form the central part of the house or pavilion. Consecutively shorter columns extend outward to carry the rest of the sloping roof creating a vaulted central area. It relies on this tall main structure for support rather than the bearing walls of western styles which would inhibit crucial, natural ventilation.

Our hand carved Joglo waiting for its forever home.
Approximate dimensions: 170″ tall x 138″ x 206″ (~14′ x 11′ x 17′)

Joglo’ is the architectural vernacular for Javanese structures. Built to last, they are made of teak wood, which is known for its beauty as well as for being a sturdy, enduring outdoor material. They are constructed without nails or screws using a variety of joinery techniques including ‘Mortise and Tenon’, ‘Half-Lap’ and ‘Tongue and Groove’.

The iconic Joglo has a simple charm as well as being functionally appropriate in tropical climates. It’s seductive elegance has captured the attention of western architects. It lends itself to many functions – from ultimate stand-alone gazebo or poolside covered patio, to an exquisite open beam, high ceiling framework within a western style home. 
(See some examples at the end of this post)

The four tallest columns or ‘King Posts’ form the framework for the central part of the house or pavilion structure. Consecutively shorter columns extend outward to carry the sloping roof, creating a vaulted central area. The heavy open beam structure provides the main support for the roof rather than the bearing walls of western styles which would inhibit crucial, natural ventilation.

The following images are of a traditional Javanese village joglo – outside view and interior views. It is typically covered with ceramic roof tiles and the framework is left exposed on the inside. The open beam structure is often carved and/or painted for decoration.

The images below, in Bali, are of pages from Seen Unseen, a 2019 book by architect Alejandra Cisneros, on blending the traditional Joglo style with more modern and western designs.

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Shamanism: A Brief History of the Ancient Art of Healing

This introduction and following series of related posts on shamanism serve as an online version of our 2017 fall exhibition, ‘Balancing The Universe: Shamanic Amulets, Instruments and Costumes’. We also have a full color photo catalog available of the all the pieces in the show and 12 color postcards of selected pieces. Scroll down to see catalog and cards at end of this post.

You have likely heard the term ‘Shaman’, but who were – or, are they? Shamanism is an intriguing phenomenon.
Since the beginning of humanity, there has been a need to cure the ailing, and to integrate the physical and spiritual worlds. This universal need gave rise to the art of healing or, ‘Shamanism’. A shaman is a highly trained and disciplined, man or woman, who can enter the spirit world at will to communicate with and influence spirits in service to their community. They have been the keepers of knowledge, the healers, the priests, and the philosophers in virtually all societies around the globe.

Animism, the belief that all things have souls, is another globally shared phenomenon and forms the spiritual origins of the rituals and traditions that most of us in the modern western world see as mysterious. But what is art, science or religion without mystery? Art and spirit converge in this show to take you on a journey into the inspiring and enlightening unknown.

All shaman have a unique repertoire of amulets, instruments, and costumes essential to their own culture. This exhibition includes a wide range of  spiritual artifacts personally collected by David Bardwick over the last fifteen years from Nepal, Nagaland and Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand, and across the Indonesian Islands.

Shamanism is a matter of curiosity for those unfamiliar with its conventions, but it endures as a universal healing method and path to the spirit world which are integral parts of daily life for billions of people around the world

The catalog includes a dedication and personal forward from the collector, David Bardwick, of the David Alan Collection, and text on the history of Shamanism and of shamanism specific to each of the locations/cultures represented.
Exhibition Catalog from the Balancing The Universe: Shamanic Amulets, Instruments and Costume. A full color, 72 page catalog of almost all of the Shaman objects in the exhibition. $14. 

Postcards of selected pieces from the Shamanic Objects exhibition at David Alan Collection. they are a collection of pieces from Nepal, Vietnam , Myanmar and from several different islands in Indonesia. They are all authentic, rare objects used by Shaman priests for healing and for other various tribal rituals performed for the good of the community
12 color postcards for $12. Selected shaman pieces from the Balancing The Universe exhibition.

Balancing The Universe: Shamanism on Lombok Island and Bali

Less famous than Bali, Lombok the neighbor island directly to the east and is part of the Lesser Sundas. The indigenous Sasak people are predominantly Muslim after experiencing a long period of Hindu and Buddhist influence. However, as in most of the tribal cultures of Indonesia, ancient traditional ritualistic practices endure and shaman are still highly respected. They are regularly sought out as powerful healers and practitioners of magic to ward off evil and illness as well as to manage many other individual and community issues.

Shaman Healing Fetish Wand Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Wood, cotton cloth, metal coins. This is held in the shaman’s hand to contact the spirits for healing rituals. 35” x 13 ½” x 7 ½”, $2400.
Shaman Healing Fetish Wand, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Wood, cotton cloth, metal coins

This is held in the shaman’s hand to contact the spirits for healing rituals. 35” x 13 ½” x 7 ½”, $2400. (see detail of feet in image below)

Shaman Healing Fetish Wand Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Wood, cotton cloth, metal coins. This is held in the shaman’s hand to contact the spirits for healing rituals. 35” x 13 ½” x 7 ½”, $2400.
detail of previous image – feet under the skirt

Magic Ghost Figures, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood, smooth patina from use and age. 8 ½” x 5 ¾” x 5 ½”, $790 (sold as pair)
Magic Ghost Figures, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood. 8 ½” x 5 ¾” x 5 ½”, $790 (sold as pair)

Shaman Talisman Wand, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c. Wood, horn, cotton cord, patinated with use and age Held in shaman’s hand, used in healing rituals, hung on the wall in shaman’s house when not in use. 10 ½” x 12” x 11” $580. sold
Shaman Talisman Wand, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c. Wood, horn, cotton cord

Held in shaman’s hand, used in healing rituals, hung on the wall in shaman’s house when not in use. 10 ½” x 12” x 11”, SOLD

Shaman Sacred Water and Herb Scoop, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, bamboo, patinated with use and age. Used for scooping holy water and medicinal herbs for healing rituals. Dimensions left to right: (left - 9 ¼” x 6 ¼” x 4 ½”, $160.); (rear middle - 9 ¼” x 9 ½” x 3 ½”, $160.); (front middle - 6 ¼” 7 ¾” x 2 ½”, $120.); (rear right - 12 ¼” x 9 ¼” x 3 ½”, $280.); (right front - 11 ½” x 10” x 3 ½”, $160.)
Shaman Sacred Water and Herb Scoop, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, bamboo

Used for scooping holy water and medicinal herbs for healing rituals. Dimensions left to right: (left – 9 ¼” x 6 ¼” x 4 ½”, $160.); (rear middle – 9 ¼” x 9 ½” x 3 ½”, $160.); (front middle – 6 ¼” 7 ¾” x 2 ½”, $120.); (rear right – 12 ¼” x 9 ¼” x 3 ½”, $280.); (right front – 11 ½” x 10” x 3 ½”, $160.)

Shaman Protection Figure, Indonesia, Lombok Island, Early 20th c, Wood, cloth, coins, beads. Protects shaman and client from harmful spirits during rituals, 20” x 7 ½” x 3 ½”, $1100.
Shaman Protection Figure, Indonesia, Lombok Island, Early 20th c, Wood, cloth, coins, beads

Protects shaman and client from harmful spirits during rituals, 20” x 7 ½” x 3 ½”, $1100. SOLD

Healing Fetish Wand, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood, fiber, patinated from use and age. Held in shaman’s hand during ritual for healing calling the spirits, 15 ½” x 3 ½” 4”, $420.
Healing Fetish Wand, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood, fiber

Held in shaman’s hand during ritual for healing calling the spirits, 15 ½” x 3 ½” 4”, $420.

Holy Water Containers, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, ceramic, fiber, pigment. Shaman jar for holy water for purification rituals. Dimensions: (left - 6” x 3 ¼” x 3 ¼”, Sold); (right - 6 ¼” x 3 ¼” x 3 ¼”, sold)
Holy Water Containers, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, ceramic, fiber, pigment

Shaman jar for holy water for purification rituals. Dimensions: (left – 6” x 3 ¼” x 3 ¼”, SOLD); (right – 6 ¼” x 3 ¼” x 3 ¼”, SOLD)

Shaman Healing Fetish Rattles, Lombok, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c, Wood pigmented with soot, metal blade, cloth fiber, patinated with age and use. Used for healing rituals - Shaken to fend off harmful spirits. Dimensions: (left - 12” x 5 ½” x 4”, sold); (right - 14” x 7” x 6”, Sold)
Shaman Healing Fetish Rattles, Lombok, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c, Wood pigmented with soot, metal blade, cloth fiber

Used for healing rituals – Shaken to fend off harmful spirits. Dimensions: (left – 12” x 5 ½” x 4”, SOLD); (right – 14” x 7” x 6”, SOLD)

Shaman Healing Fetish Rattle Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia Mid 20th c. Wood, shells, patinated with age and use Used for healing rituals 14” x 7” x 6”, Sold
expanded view of shell fetish rattles shown in previous image

Shaman Fetish Hanging Charm, Lombok or Nusa Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood, glass, nails, metal, plant fiber, cotton cord. Used for healing rituals, 12” x 14” x 9 ½”, Sold
Shaman Fetish Hanging Charm, Lombok or Nusa Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood, glass, nails, metal, plant fiber, cotton cord

Used for healing rituals, 12” x 14” x 9 ½”

Shaman Magic Figure, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, paint. Used for calling spirits and for healing rituals. 16” x 6” x 4”, $360.
Shaman Magic Figure, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, paint

Used for calling spirits and for healing rituals. 16” x 6” x 4”, $360.

Shaman Healing Fetish Rattle, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid to late 20th c, Wood pigmented with soot, bone, cloth, seed pod and shells, patinated with age and use. Used in healing rituals. 12” x 12” x 12”, $1300.
Shaman Healing Fetish Rattle, Lombok Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid to late 20th c, Wood pigmented with soot, bone, cloth, seed pod and shells

Used in healing rituals. 12” x 12” x 12”, $1300.

'Palalintangnan' - Kamasan Astrological Calendar, Bali, Indonesia Kamasan village, Early 20th c, Cotton cloth, printed and painted Represents gods, goddesses, attendants, animals, and inscriptions which are used for fortune telling. 45” x 51”, $750.
‘Palalintangnan’ – Kamasan Astrological Calendar Bali, Indonesia, Kamasan village, Early 20th c, Cotton cloth, printed and painted

Represents gods, goddesses, attendants, animals, and inscriptions which are used for fortune telling. 45” x 51”, $750.