Balinese doors

Mark

Hello Kane, I've seen some carved door supplier shops along Jalan Raya Mas, which is just south of Ubud. If I happen to notice the shop name(s), I'll update this thread accordingly. There are many woodcarvers in the areas around Ubud (eg, Mas, Sukawati, Tegallalang etc.)

kane_t

Thank you for your response. I am aware of issues with Suar wood and the poor drying which leads to shrinkage. My preference very much is something that is already old and weathered. Thanks Kane

kane_t

Mark wrote Hello Kane, I've seen some carved door supplier shops along Jalan Raya Mas, which is just south of Ubud. If I happen to notice the shop name(s), I'll update this thread accordingly. There are many woodcarvers in the areas around Ubud (eg, Mas, Sukawati, Tegallalang etc.)

Thanks Mark, I will check out those areas when over. If I can keep away from tourist hot spots it would be good. Cheers Kane

kane_t

Dear all, I read some really good posts and replies on this site regarding wood carvings, so I thought I might have a go on a separate timber question. We are renovating a house in the rain Forrest in nth NSW, Australia and we wanted to incorporate a number of Balinese doors as key features. Trying to google them simply keeps dragging me back to sellers in Australia, so I thought I might reach out to the expat community. Would anyone be able to recommend and place or general location where I can start to hunt for large double calved Balinese doors. I will be over in early February, but have limited time. I was hoping to narrow down the search via this forum if I could. Thanking you all in advance for any direction and help. Best Regards Kane

mugwump

Hi Kane, Here is somewhere you may look that is out of the tourist area. The arterial road coming from the north through Tabanan leads through Kapal as it progresses to Denpasar. As it approaches DPS the street I believe is Cokroaminoto which first leads through Ubung. As it enters the Ubung area there is a large display of traditional Javanese doors on the right. Having never examined the quality closely I can't vouch for it, but from the road it looks quite good. Additionally there are a few junk teak dealers on the left of the road in this area that may be of interest as well. Since this location is well away from where foreigners normally converge it may provide better prices.

kane_t

Hey, thanks for that. it is exactly the kind of place I am looking for. Appreciate the post Cheers

kane_t

Just looking on maps, but struggling to make sense of it. Would it be possible to get a screen grab from you of google maps with a rough indication of its location thanks

mugwump

kane_t wrote Just looking on maps, but struggling to make sense of it. Would it be possible to get a screen grab from you of google maps with a rough indication of its location thanks

Check the hwy. from Tabanan to Denpasar. The location of Ubung is the northern area just as you enter Denpasar.

mugwump

kane_t wrote Dear all, I read some really good posts and replies on this site regarding wood carvings, so I thought I might have a go on a separate timber question. We are renovating a house in the rain Forrest in nth NSW, Australia and we wanted to incorporate a number of Balinese doors as key features. Trying to google them simply keeps dragging me back to sellers in Australia, so I thought I might reach out to the expat community. Would anyone be able to recommend and place or general location where I can start to hunt for large double calved Balinese doors. I will be over in early February, but have limited time. I was hoping to narrow down the search via this forum if I could. Thanking you all in advance for any direction and help. Best Regards Kane

Hi Kane, I formerly exported furniture and other goods from Indonesia to the US for a number of years, and can tell you how important it was to know the quality of the wood. If it were newly made I would test it with a moisture gauge to determine its content and reject beyond a certain percentage. Unfortunately that maybe of limited importance to you for the following reasons: 1. I would attempt to buy mostly aged wood if possible because the shrinkage would be less. That is now difficult to find. 2.. My importation was for a temperant climate only, which could be quite different for you? [LIST=1] [*]Much of the wood used in Bali is suar wood because it is plentiful as it grows fast, but is highly subject to shrinkage and cracking which may or may not be a problem for you due to your climate. [*]Teak wood is probably the most popular wood exported from Indonesia, and in recent years there has a great demand for it in its use for traditional house construction, and what is desired is OLD teak. As a result the price is now quite high. Even here teak is subject to expansion with the wet season and shrinkage in the dry season. My house is now 14 years old and still doing this so you can understand why people seek old teak even in this climate. [/LIST] With that bleak background established allow me to expound. My advice would be to try and check concerning the requirements of new wood in your climate getting all the information available to determine its possible climatic similarities to Indonesia. If similar check on the kind of wood available here that is currently being used to carve doors. If it is really old your problems will be satisfied. Finally the absolute best bet would be buying some old junked teak then select a carver whose work you admire and have him carve it. You can nose around Keroboken antique dealers for likely product. Knowing this isn't the quick fix answer you want, but probably the answer you can live with for years to come. Good luck.

mugwump

kane_t wrote Hey, thanks for that. it is exactly the kind of place I am looking for. Appreciate the post Cheers

Just today passed the site previously mentioned approaching Ubung from the north, and wanted to update. There is some foliage somewhat obscuring the large carved doors, but they are still there and visible. Additionally I might mention an area seemingly an entrance to what could be a workshop behind the display.

kane_t

mugwump wrote Just today passed the site previously mentioned approaching Ubung from the north, and wanted to update. There is some foliage somewhat obscuring the large carved doors, but they are still there and visible. Additionally I might mention an area seemingly an entrance to what could be a workshop behind the display.

Hey, thanks for that. If there is any way you could put a dot on a map it would be greatly appreciated. I dont know this part of Bali at all. thanks

mugwump

Buy a map when you arrive.