Treasure Hunting in Ubud

Ubud has been a shopping stop for decades. It has always been the place for handicrafts - wood carvings, Lombok pottery, puppets, masks, ceramics and other traditional items could be found in the many little shops lining the town's few streets or at the main market.

But things are changing in Ubud. All these goodies are still available, but now a growing number of upscale boutiques offer exciting alternatives. The town has become a treasure chest of collectibles. Many are produced locally in limited quantities for export while others may only be found in small galleries when stock is available. Others are samples and one-offs that will never be found again. But one thing is certain -- shoppers who go treasure hunting in Ubud will not be disappointed. Reliable packing and shipping services mean that there is no excuse not to send those treasures home.

Dek's Studio is owned by Kadek Gunarta, an Ubud craftsman who travels regularly to Java to purchase old teak from traditional houses that are being knocked down for modern buildings. He brings ancient teak doors, walls, plough handles, fences, ship's planking and loose boards to his Ubud workshop to fashion into stunning furniture. The finely joined and finished pieces incorporate the 'warts and all' character of lived-in old wood. Kadek's commitment to recycling also reflects his reverence for traditional motifs and workmanship. Contact Kadek at 0812 3830 953.

Hananto Wibowo, features exquisite old Javanese pieces hand-picked from private collections at Hananto Lloyd Gallery. Located near Four Seasons Hotel in Sayan, it showcases interesting collectibles from Indonesia and elsewhere in the region.

Indonesia's intricate textiles are always popular and Studio 22k has one of Bali's leading textile collections. Although the gallery includes a variety of textiles from around the archipelago, it is probably best known for its very high quality batik, including museum- quality specimens and vegetable-dyed batiks from the 1930s. Ricka, the owner, is always happy to spend time educating visitors about textiles and local culture in general. Studio 22k is located on Jalan Raya Ubud next to the entrance of Oka Kartini Hotel.

The Buddhas and Silk Gallery in the Panorama Hotel complex on Jalan Pengosekan brings together an extensive collection of Buddha and Hindu images and hand-loomed silks. Images are rendered in stone, wood, glass, bronze and semi-precious stone ranging from one centimetre to 1.5 metres and are bought directly from the carvers whenever possible. Hand- woven silk is an ancient and refined art in most Buddhist countries where processes of spinning, dying and weaving the silk are meditatively slow, creating a gentle energy that remains in the cloth.

Whenever possible, the hand-loomed silks are bought directly from the weavers or from cooperatives and organizations committed to supporting the artists, to sustainability and to natural dyes. The gallery has silks from co-operatives in Cambodia, Thailand and some are dyed and hand-woven by AZURI in Ubud. It also sells the spectacular wearable art of designer Rana Helmi whose one-of-a-kind reversible jackets and coats are created from patches of silk and batik, for wear during day or evening.

High in the hills above Ubud is the kiln of Sariapi, the Essence of Fire. Here Swiss-born Suzan Kohlik creates unique porcelain tableware, vases and art pieces. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of creating a perfect piece of pottery and then rendering it imperfect, Suzan's collection is a delightful medley of colours and forms. The functional items use food-safe glazes, and she experiments with unusual glazes on the decorative pieces. Sariapi Gallery adjoins the Juice Ja on Jalan Dewi Sita.

The Pure Land Gallery on Jl Dewi Sita has a collection of hand- painted Tibetan thangkas from Nepal which can be purchased unmounted or framed in traditional silk brocade. The knowledgeable staff is happy to explain each piece, or to allow shoppers to sit quietly on the floor cushions and soak in the serene ambience. Cute and quirky men's and women's shoes and bags can be found at Sasorizacraft Shoe Shop - just up from Batan Waru. It's not uncommon to hear squeals of delight emerging from the little shop as visitors of all genders discover the treasures within. The brothers who own the business are friendly and flexible, and can make you new shoes to measure in just a few days. Renee Ariel, of Goddess Silks, has exquisite hand-painted silk kimonos, jackets and scarves featuring deities and metaphysical motifs which can take over 60 hours to complete. She also offers classes in silk painting at her Ubud studio. Pieces are available by private order or call the studio at telephone 08123 978 098 for an appointment.

There are many other treasures waiting to be discovered in Ubud's many boutiques, so sharpen up your credit card and go shopping!