Nostalgia Antique specialists in teak from Madura!
THIS SPOT IS A REAL FIND when it comes to old furniture & other interesting pieces. I must have driven up Jl Mertanadi (the Jail Rd) hundreds of times & past Nostalgia Antique, but you know how it is, you actually never get to check out all the places along a roadside. A friend recommended that I visit & what a surprise did I find! Nostalgia Antique is, situated a little ways back off the road, from the open carpark area, the showroom awaits - even if it’s dark & dusty, but as you work your way through the various parts of this old working style factory, you will spy the many treasures.
One hears a lot about Madura (the isle off the East Java coast) here in Bali, seems apart from the unique colored furniture pieces indicative of the Dutch/Portuguese colonial era there are many old artifacts & items found that end up in the various antique stores/galleries here.
Most of the furniture that is brought into Bali from Madura is ‘finished off’ by Balinese craftsmen, the carving & design detail is unique, featuring shades of muted color tones that have been derived from a mix of vegetable dyes & crushed bone matter. Many of the ‘color’ pieces such as doors or panels may feature several layers of paint that have ‘built up’ over the years, but once some of the paint had been removed, the original paintwork is exposed. These ornate painted doors, columns, pillars & bases along with colorful panels from wedding beds are decorative & can work miracles in livening up many a house here on the island.
Other items that stand out here are – stone garden pieces to float lotus, water plants or a candle, giant free standing pieces of wooden ‘art’, decorative pieces of Gilisan wood made from corn grinding units, dugout canoes & original decorative arches from Madura homes. There are numerous daybeds, benches, four poster beds & various styles of coffee/dining tables & chairs to choose from - a couple of very nice dining tables; one with a circular glass round atop a twisted/tortured teak wood base, the other is a much larger piece of rectangular glass sitting on top of an elaborate carved teak wooden base, these would fit in with a modern home as well.
The business is owned by the charismatic English speaking Maszari, assistant Marcel & a person that ‘he couldn’t do without’ is his master craftsperson Dr Made! Maszari takes time to train his team of people in the art of the teak re-furbishing business. It is apparent that Maszari is busy with a number of specialist jobs along with overseas commissions (you ask & he will find/make!) all of this and then another little business on the side making & setting up these small Geladak houses which would provide you with a warung of your own (like his at the front of the property) or for the perfect guest quarters!
Nostalgia Antique, Jalan Mertanadi No 60, Kerobokan. Office : 735192
Maszari hp: 081 5592 1331, email: nostalgia@indo.net.id
For comments and enquiries, email: retailtherapym@yahoo.com.au
