Few detailed studies have appeared on the historical context of contemporary handicrafts in Indonesia since the publication of the standard work in five volumes by J. E. Jasper and Mas Pirngadie at the beginning of the twentieth century. One of these handicrafts is Yogya silver, a type of silverware that was developed in Yogyakarta (Yogya) and Kotagede, a small town four kilometres south-east of this provincial capital.
Yogya silver has been made for centuries, but thanks to the efforts of Dutch and Javanese promoters of decorative crafts, Yogya silver craft underwent a profound transformation in the early twentieth century. This catalogue focuses on the styles and decoration of Yogya silver in this period and describes its history. Some of the most important works from famous collections are showcased, and a list of silversmiths’ initials is included.