Classic lamps, from Gunungkidul to the world

Antiques sometimes offer greater appeal as shown by many hobbyists collecting ancient works of art, with soaring value the older the objects are.

It may be due to the popularity of antiques that the aluminum hanging lamps crafted by Rusmani (51), a resident of Garotan, Semin, Gunungkidul regency in Yogyakarta, have attracted a lot of visitors, who pass through his workshop every day despite the remote location of his home.

The man’s lamps emulate Dutch suspended lights of the 18th century, characterized by the form of an inverted parachute, with a parabolic white crystal glass shade and leaf-and-tendril ornaments made of cast copper or bauxite. Such a model was used to decorate Java’s courts and houses of the nobility.

At first glance, Rusmani’s lamps have an aristocratic look, except that Garotan products are made of cast aluminum rather than copper or bauxite and have electric lights. And they are certainly much cheaper than antique copper lamps.

So far Rusmani has produced five types of lamps of different sizes, weights, numbers of bulbs and accessories. The lightest one with a single bulb and simpler ornaments, weighing about 1.5 kilograms, costs only Rp 350,000 (US$35).

The most expensive, lavishly ornamented, high-capacity eight bulbs weighing more than 5 kilograms, cost Rp 5 million. There is also a standing lamp with one bulb as a special variant, at the price of Rp 400,000 per unit.

These products have drawn a large number of consumers over the last few years because of their quality and their close resemblance to antique lamps and the position of Rusmani as the sole craftsman of the kind in Yogyakarta.

Not surprisingly, the Gunungkidul regency administration has named the lamps as its prized industrial commodity.

Garotan lamps are sold around various regions in Java, with most of them installed in government buildings. Four years ago, foreign buyers from Greece, Malaysia and Holland started ordering them.
“A Dutch customer once ordered 200 units, which he said would be displayed in several European countries,” said Rusmani.

Hanging lamps have the double function of providing illumination and interior decoration. The ornamental lights emulate the style of Javanese joglo traditional houses or high-roof buildings.
Rusmani’s lamps are produced by casting melted aluminum bars particularly for ornaments or accessories.

After drying, they are taken out of their molds and smoothed using polishing machines. The finish is golden dark brown paint.

These ornaments are in knocked-down form for further fastening with bolts, so as to facilitate their movement or transportation if they have to be delivered to other regions. All the products are manually made.

“I order crystal shades from a businessman in Jakarta”, he continued.

With seven employees, Rusmani has a capacity of churning out around 200 lamps of various sizes. Aluminum is purchased from scrap collectors in Boyolali, Central Java, at Rp 14,000 per kilogram.
In his house-cum-showroom, he receives orders customers design. However, buyers placing orders with their own patterns are subjected to extra charges for this service.

“Besides lamps, we also produce tables, chairs, road lights and park lamps,” he added.

The business has earned Rusmani a good living. In addition, he can afford to send his three children to college. Meanwhile, he is also frequently invited to industrial exhibitions in different cities.

Many consumers have indicated Rusmani’s suspended lamps have a high sale capacity. Sadly, though, the lack of promotion and the less strategic production and showroom location have to some extent hampered the marketing of his products.

“It’s about 50 kilometers from Yogyakarta to reach his house through small village paths, which is rather difficult,” said Beni Kustanto, an architect and collector of art objects living in Sosrowijayan, Yogyakarta.

“If he relocates to the city, his market will surely grow stronger.”

His lamp-making business, which he began almost 15 years ago, began when he left his job in Semarang after several years and opened his own enterprise.

At first he produced tables and chairs, and park and road lights.

His choice of hanging lamps was based on the consideration that he was tapping into a niche with no rivals.

In his view, the most intricate part of the lamp-making process is ornament casting.

It demands accuracy and great patience because of the numerous tiny depressions to be filled by
pouring in aluminum, otherwise the cast pieces become brittle. It takes three days to finish one hanging lamp.

The fuel price hike some time ago also dealt a blow to his business. It was due to the use of kerosene to melt aluminum, thus inflicting losses with the price increase.

Later, an alternative fuel was used and came at a reasonable cost by mixing industrial diesel oil and gasoline. Rusmani’s business continues to grow.

Source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/03/05/classic-lamps-gunungkidul-world.html