Kendari Werk, the legendary Silver Sulawesi

Mata Satipa (46) observed a half squinting tangible silver leaf frame with nail-sized segments of adults. Using tweezers, DI leaders going back strands of silver thread that has been formed into wavy sections that.

Satipa currently working on legendary craft of Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra), known as "Kendari Werk". Silver motifs were born at the beginning of the 20th century it had long been famous for its beauty. His name is a guarantee of high quality works.

Kendari Werk, or which means "work Kendari" in Dutch, is one type of silver filigree techniques, methods that are rarely found in other silver centers in the country.

The technique is fine silver threads weave into the frame or frames are also made of silver. Yarn formed according to the desired pattern so as to produce a delicate filigree, detail, and complicated.

One of the privileges Kendari Werk is made with a high silver composition, at least 97 percent. The rest is other materials such as brass or copper are used only for brazing.

Thus was born the accessory products such as brooches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, earrings, and other jewelry for women. It could also be the decor items such as miniature boats, custom house, animals, and functional items like a cake tray.

The process of manufacturing, from processing to final polishing silver bullion, is still purely rely on hand-craft skills by simply assisted the equipment manual. There is absolutely no touch automated machine.

Ironically, during the last decades, native crafts capital of Southeast Sulawesi was actually more developed outside the region, especially in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Nevertheless, the name that has been famous Werk Kendari remain girded.

In his native land, the craft has been hard to find. Fortunately there are still routinely produces and markets craft, namely the National Crafts Council Area (Dekranasda) Sultra.

Satipa is one of 15 artisans employed Kendari Werk Dekranasda Sultra. He pursue this work since 22 years ago. "Being silversmiths takes patience, persistence and precision," he said when met at the workshop Dekranasda Sultra some time ago.

Leaf-shaped brooch which he had done, for example, requires all such properties. Silver thread as thin as hair must fit neatly organized within the framework of a small motif. "It must be very careful when filling yarn into the framework. One bit can be uncovered and have to start from scratch again, "said Satipa.

Werk Kendari history stems from an artisan jewelry creations of Chinese descent named Djie A Woi. He created a model inspired jewelry with intricate patterns of threads and details after seeing the spider made a nest. Cobweb shape is then applied to the motif silver jewelry product.

It is not known exactly when Djie start this craft. However, from the history books written by Anwar Hafid Kendari and Misran Jafar (2007), mentioned Kendari Werk developed in 1920.

In 1926, the Dutch send samples of work Djie to Jaarbeurs (fair) in Amsterdam and won awards. From there Werk Kendari reputation as a high quality craft sticking and then are exported to Europe and Australia.

Kamal Tandra (72), one of the students who had a shop Djie gold and silver Diamond in Kendari, said the work Djie even booked the Queen Elizabeth II of England and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. "Queen Elizabeth ordered a miniature carriage drawn four horses, while Queen Wilhelmina ordered a tray of cookies," he said.

Thanks to his work, both the queen gives awards to Djie charter. "Unfortunately, when the charter was lost during the bombing of Japan," said Kamal.

Postindependence 1945, which was followed by the departure of the Dutch from the archipelago, stretching Kendari business Werk slowly recede due to the difficulty of marketing. Because, shortly before independence, product marketing Kendari Werk mediated Dutch traders.

Kendari small town at that time could not absorb the product. Many crafters are out of business or change jobs. Some chose to migrate to big cities in search of better markets, including Makassar.

The craftsmen who moved that the continuing production overseas. In Kendari, craft it was leaving a name.

In 1985, try this craft revived. The government was then recruited several people to be trained as artisans with employment status. Instructors come from Makassar or crafters Kendari Werk that still exists in Kendari.

Chairman Nur Alam Dekranasda Sultra Tina said it will continue to preserve the crafts area. It was among other crafters regenerate and improve their skills on a regular basis to train and engage to craft fairs. Training specifically on aspects of the design and development of new models in order to follow market trends.

However, outside Dekranasda, stretching to pursue this craft is almost extinct. Kamal, for example, stop producing Kendari Werk since 2000. In fact, Diamond stores theirs is one of the few places outside Dekranasda Sultra that provide these products.

Head of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives and SMEs Kendari Sham Alam said, there are many factors that make it difficult to craft rose as the era of glory first. In addition to marketing constraints, the business value of handmade silver jewelry match different types of jewelry, especially gold.

Currently, in the remaining three groups Kendari artisans who produce Kendari Werk. It was a very limited production and adapted to market demand.

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