Jogjakarta, in Central Java, Indonesia, may be the world capital of batik textiles, but that’s not the only handicraft that Jogja holds in its cards.  The Javanese are masters of fine detail in all their handcrafts.  So, any visit to Jogja is not complete without a visit to its SE suburb, Kota Gede where Indonesia’s best silversmiths show off their magic.

HS Silver is one silver center & gallery in Kota Gede, Jogja where you can see a broad variety of filigree masterpieces being made.  Several Javanese master silversmiths sit at wood work places developing their various pieces.  They use gas torches to create tiny knobs on the ends of silver threads, and then apply the same heat to weld intricate patterns together. 

Once pieces are formed, it’s time to clean & polish the tarnish off. A fruit that the Javanese call kelerak (ke-LE’H-roc) produces a soapy foam when wet & is effective for taking off carbon & other tarnishing impurities to make the silver shine.  Kelerak also used locally to wash batik fabric, so you should pick up some kelerak in the HS Silver gallery before leaving!

Once cleaned and assembled . . . 

these silver filigree pieces are stunning masterpieces.  

The Javanese silversmiths of Kota Gede, Jogjakarta are another Indonesian national heritage.