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| Monday, 13 September 2004 |
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Secrets of a thousand and one islands Secrets of a thousand and one islands.. unveiled at The Hermitage
Gallery, 28, Gower Street, Colombo 5. The exhibition and sale from Sep. 16
to 19 will feature stone carvings that reflect an ancient culture,
furniture and statues that echo history, from the mystical islands of
Java, Irian Jaya, Sulawesi, Batubulan, Lombok and Timor. Although a part of modern Indonesia each of these regions are independent cultural entities with unique traditions and vibrant artistic expressions. Java is the heart of Islamic Indonesia, Irian Jaya and Timor are animistic in ritual and worship whilst Bali sings the songs of the Ramayana. The cornerstone of the collection is indigenous granite and sandstone from Batubulan, exquisitely carved into beautiful garden nymphs, outdoor lamps and other unusual garden accessories. A stunning museum style torso provides a majestic backdrop to the rest of this collection. From Irian Jaya and Sulawesi come 'primitive' furniture and artifacts - striking and tasteful additions to any home or office. Also from Sulawesi are the mats and the carpets intricately woven from rattan and bamboo, very ethnic and very chic. They will make your floor dance. The Javanese furniture includes benches, tables, a teak screen and Judangs' - which are antique tribal gift boxes, one as small as 18 inches X 2 feet and some as large as 2 feet X 6 feet. Gifts of food and clothes were placed in these carved boxes and offered to friends and relatives on ceremonial occasions.
A wide variety of gifts and artifacts in brass, wood and reed including ancient betel containers, an old musical instrument from Bali, masks from Lombok and a variety of quaint silver plated artifacts will sizzle up and bring life to a drab corner, wall or table as well as to your life. Displayed together with this exotic new collection is an even larger selection of Hermitage's signature line of exquisite Indian furniture, trendy colourful Rajasthani Dhurries, bed and cushion covers, ethnic silver jewellery and whimsical collectibles. A rare collection of over 1,500 postcards of Old Ceylon circa late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries is also on display together with antique maps and prints of Old Ceylon, photographs by Lionel Wendt and masterpieces of art by the renowned 43 group of painters such as George Keyt, Ivan Peiris and L.T.P Manjusri. |
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Produced by Lake House |
They can be used in the modern home as unusual magazine or shoe racks
and are guaranteed to stimulate conversation.
