Amazing Bali
Sparkling
Silver from
Celuk
Text by Mei L.E. Nababan, Photo by Sonny Tumbelaka
If you are visiting Bali, you should definitely make
a point of going to Celuk Village in Gianyar.
A silver center and one of the island’s most
popular tourist stop-offs, it boasts quality silver
crafts all made locally.
T
he silverware produced in Celuk village is not only Prices vary depending on the size, craftsmanship and
of the highest quality but also manufactured in great quality of the metal, with the cheapest products starting
quantity. Almost all the families and local people at around IDR35,000 and collectors’ items such as silver
in Celuk have the ability to design and create a variety model ships fetching up to IDR12,000,000. In terms of
of silver products, which are marketed both locally and daily sales, quick-selling jewelry is generally valued up to
internationally. The range is huge: rings, bracelets, IDR1,000,000. Jewelry prices depend on the design and
necklaces, earrings, ear studs, brooches, and basically motifs, with more than forty different models available.
anything you desire can be ordered custom made. Besides For example, earrings come in all different shapes and
jewelry, there is a large selection of dining ware likes sizes from small and discreet to large, coiled fashion
spoons, forks, plates, cups, and more. Balinese come to statements.
Celuk to buy religious paraphernalia such as bokor (a silver
vassal for prayer offerings). Here are some tips you can follow when silver hunting
in Celuk. The first is that you should come with a guide
Open to the public every day of the week, tourists get to or someone who speaks Balinese. This will improve
see first-hand artists crafting gold and silver into all sorts communication and make the bargaining process easier.
of different products. Here you can buy directly from the Secondly, since there are so many different designs, you
people who fashion the jewelry by hand. The main road should ask to look at each product one by one before
of Celuk is lined with silver and gold shops, and it can be deciding which model to buy—window shop and be patient.
hard to choose where to shop. The jewelry is displayed in However, don’t be so fussy that you end up not buying
glass cabinets and visitors are free to window shop and anything. Most sellers don’t like tourists who ask millions
pop in and out of each showroom. Since the products of questions but don’t end up making a purchase. Last of
are relatively cheap if bought en masse, some buyers all, when you bargain ask for half of the asking price. Talk
take back large amounts of jewelry to resell in their own calmly in rupiah rather than dollars so that you get what
countries. you’re looking for at a reasonable price.
36
The Amazing East | vol 1 issue 4
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64