The Background of Java Carving Art

There are many traditional motives of Java carvings. So, you can get difficulty to take one of them if you do not know the basic pattern. That is why, you should know first about the name, shape and characteristics of the carved motifs. In general, the carving motifs in Java and Bali always use the technique of stylized from plants, animals and sometimes humans too.

Pajajaran Motive

Its general motif is that all forms of leaf carving starting from the principal leaf, Trubus leaf, Patran leaf, and bunga buah are convex (rounded).

Majapahit Motif

Its general feature is that all carving forms of leaf, flower, and fruit are convex and concave (mixture).

Bali Motif

Its general feature is that all carving forms of leaf, flower, and fruit are convex and concave (mixture).

Mataram motif

Its general feature is that all carving forms of leaves, including principal leaves and small leaves are concave (krawingan). The form of this leaf carving is Patran. The composition of leaf motifs is usually clustered, so it is like the natural leaf.

Jepara motif

Its general feature is that all carving forms of leaves are triangular and sloping.

Cirebon motif

The carving form of leaf is convex and concave (mixture). Its patterns have reef and cloud shape. This style of carving is less well known because the carving is mostly only used for decoration of houses.

Pekalongan motif

The engraving form of this motif is convex and concave (mixture).

Madura motif

Basically, the carving form of leaf in this motif is curved and there is curling at the tip of the leaves. The fractional cawen on the principal leaf is like a saw.

Yogyakarta motif

Known as the Yogya silver engravings, this motif takes an example from the leaves of ferns.

Surakarta motif

The carving form of leaf in this motif is taken from the depths of fern leaves that spread free rhythmic. Its leaves are convex and concave (mixture).

Semarang motif

This motif has a basic leaf shape in the from of a mixture of convex and concave.