Kotagede is one of the city known because its silver art. Various kinds of ornaments ranging from rings, pendants, bracelets, wall hangings, and variety miniature was produced. The number of silversmithing industry in Kotagede makes this city has a silver city designation. Kotagede silver industry became the silver city since the 16th century. Kotagede increasingly popular with silver since the reign of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII (a King in the Yogyakarta palace at the time), circa 1930. Sri Sultan Hamungku Buwono VIII interested of silver art from Kotagede. Kraton has a strong influence on life in Yogyakarta and surrounding areas, thanks to this silver from Kotagede becoming increasingly popular.
Silver industry from Kotagede reached a golden age around 1930 to 1940. One of the factors that made silver art from Kotagede reached the golden age is because of a Dutch merchant. A Dutchman is ordering goods for the housekeeping which are made from silver. Goods ordered in the form of spoons, forks, sconce, ashtrays, and jewelry. The items turned out to got attention from European public. Since then, many orders are coming up with ever-increasing amounts. An institution built by the Dutch government to improve the quality of production. The agency was named Stichting van het Yogyakarta Bevordering Kunst Ambacht. The purpose of the establishment of this institution is to provide training on techniques of making silver and market development.
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miniature motor from Kotagede
image source: http://eemnet.blogspot.com/2014/09/kerajinan-perak.html |
Silver industry in Kotagede today
The amount of silver shops both large and small shows that Kotagede still famous for silver until today. This craft is able to attract tourists who were vacationing in Yogyakarta. Kotagede silver could be used as a souvenir origin Yogyakarta. The price is varies from IDR 50.000 (USD 5) to IDR 1.000.000 (USD 100) depending on the shape and size. Travelers also allowed to see the processing of silver art from initial to produces unique silver at one of the silver home production. Kotagede region has a lot of production houses producing silver. In addition, there are also large shop in roadside selling Kotagede silver art arround Kotagede region.
Kotagede silver handicrafts that are sold in stores are rings, bracelets, brooches, wall hangings, and pendants. The most interesting of Silver art Kotagede is the variety miniature such as motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, andhong, ships, prampanan temples, and various other unique miniature. To produce beautiful silver must go through a long process, namely melting pure silver in the form of crystals, mixing copper (standard quality: silver content 92.5%), molding, shaping and carving, and shining. Before buying silver, travelers should visit KP3Y (Cooperative Production Perak Entrepreneur Yogyakarta) is an institution that can provide information on quality standards and the price of silver. KP3Y institutions are in the area Mondorokan, still including Kotagede area.
