If you are in Denpasar and which see some “real”
Balinese history, don’t miss out on the Bali Museum.
It is located on the eastern side of the “Lapangan
Puputan Badung”, a memorial park at the end of Gajah
Mada Street, Denpasar.
The museum contains a collection of Balinese artifacts dating
back to prehistoric time up till the 20th century. Ancient
masks, tools, woodcarvings, jewelry, Neolithic stone implements,
megalithic coffins, agricultural tools, even cages for fighting
crickets can be found on display in its four separate buildings.
The architectural design is a combination between two Balinese
structures, the temple
and the palace.
The history of the museum started back in 1910, initiated
by W.F.J.Kroon, a Dutch resident in Bali at the time. Not
until December 8th, 1932, did the official opening of the
museum take place. Because of its rapid development, on January
5th, 1966 the Bali Museum was transferred to the highest foundation
coordinating all national museums.
The
Bali Museum’s four buildings survey the Balinese ancestors
from prehistoric times until now. In the Karangsem building,
witness a collection of ethnographic objects, ceramics and
tools dating back to the Neolithic era (2600 – 600 BC)
and the megalithic Era (300 BC). See the sarcophagus tomb
(200 BC) a tight fitting coffin in the shape of a giant egg.
This building also shows a range of ceremonial paraphernalia
and religious instrument used by high priests.
The Tabanan
building, located on the north end of the museum grounds,
exhibits a contribution give by the king of Tabanan’s
family. A “Bale Bengong” (an outdoor open lounge
elevated above the ground without walls), which has been used
by the king family to oversee ceremonies, rest alongside the
Tabanan building. Inside is a collection of masks and customs
used to perform ceremonial and entertaining dancer.
Carving in Bali has existed since ancient times, the Buleleng
building (whose entrance marked by 2 Dutch bronze cannons),
contains a collection of 123 rare pieces. Once inside the
building you will be amazed at the fascinating exhibitions
of carved remains by Bali’s fore fathers. Several materials
have been used for carving which were clay, stone, wood, bone,
horn and coconut.
The Gedung Timur is building is the newest edition which
has 2 floors. Its theme is the evolution of painting in Bali,
including the classic painting era till modern times. The
first floor has a collection of paintings from various districts
in Bali, highlighting Kamasan
art from the Klungkung area. The Kamasan painting theme involves
Gods and characters from Hindu
stories. Painting from Batuan, Gianyar
can also be found here, which are considered to be the most
famous in Bali because of their influence by famous European
painters like Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet and Arie Smith.The
Museum Bali is open every day except Mondays. Museum hours
are from 8 till 2 pm.
