royal java

Mataram, now the name of a city on the Indonesian island of Lombok, was once the name of both an Islamic sultanate and a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom in Java. The talented Sarwaedi in Bali names this hand-carved wood mirror after the diverse and historically rich region. The mirror, which has a beautifully rococo style, is crafted from richly grained suar wood with a natural finish.

NOVICA artisan Saktut Raitawati and Threads of Life have collaborated to presented this beautiful shawl. The shawl is made from handspun cotton and woven in East Java. It is naturally dyed by Threads of Life using dye plants from indigo (Strobilanthes cusia) and a mangrove species (Ceriops tegal).

• Eco-friendly fabric dyes produced with all-natural and non-polluting methods; friendly to your skin, the artists, and the earth. Many natural dye plants also have healing properties.
• Sustainable cultivated and harvested plants, to ensure the continuation of the forests and plants that produce leaves, barks, roots, and these beautiful dye colors. These dyes are diligently, responsibly sourced; protecting the forest, livelihood, and traditional rituals of which they are an ancient part.
• Empowering women and protecting families. Generating income for local Indonesian women, farmers, and artisans. When the women can generate income at home, often the men do not have to leave to support their families by working off-island.
• Supporting indigenous communities and traditional weaving and dyeing techniques for over 1000 women on 12 islands across Indonesia.
• Contributing to research and development of new techniques using natural dyes to generate more income for all these people, in the Threads of Life dye studio.
• Treat them with respect and these clothes will be with you for many years. Natural dyes do not like harsh laundry soaps. Dry cleaning recommended, or gently hand wash with very mild PH balanced soap. Dry flat, out of the sun.

This mahogany brown leather handbag is designed by Yuvin Priyana of Java with a detachable strap, allowing it to convert from a clutch to a wristlet. A cotton fold-over flap secured by a brass twist lock clasp has a lovely warm brown, black, and ivory batik print of repeated parangs, an Indonesian curved knife once designated for knights and royalty. In between the diagonal parang rows is a motif of stars within circles. The bag closes with a zipper and is lined in brown faux suede with one zippered pocket inside.