Our Materials
Rattan
Rattan is native to tropical forests in Southeast Asia. Until about the end of the 20th Century, most Indonesian rattan was harvested from wild forests. As forestlands shrank, the rattan industry devised different ways to sustain their supply of rattan. One strategy is to integrate rattan with rubber tree plantations by cultivating rattan vines to grow up rubber trees. Currently most of our rattan is sourced from a rubber tree plantation in Central Java. Rattan is the strongest of the materials NBV uses to craft its burial vessels. We use it for most of our frame construction and it takes dyes well.
Seagrass
“Seagrass,” or sedge, grows naturally and abundantly in coastal areas of Indonesia. It is well known for its strength, pliability, and woven beauty.
Water Hyacinth
In Indonesia, water hyacinth is an invasive species that has established itself in freshwater lakes and rivers. It floats at the water’s surface and sends out many blossoming shoots. Over time, the shoots will form dense, expansive mats that can clog waterways and sap essential nutrients from the water. Several decades ago, Indonesian weaving artisans identified that water hyacinth shoots have a set of properties that are well suited to weaving useful objects like baskets and furniture, hats, mats and caskets. What began as a few modest entrepreneurial experiments evolved into a significant and growing craft industry. An invasive species became an important craft material. NBV uses dried and softened water hyacinth shoots to weave some of its burial vessels.
Pandan Leaf
Pandan plants occur naturally and abundantly in Indonesia. Their leaves and fruit are edible and have medicinal attributes. Leaves are more commonly applied to weave strong and beautiful objects, including NBV burial vessels.
Banana Plant Fiber
Banana Plant Fiber is used in many industries for a variety of purposes. In addition to the global renown of its many varieties of delicious fruit, much of the rest of banana plants, including the stalk, are also edible. Due to its buoyancy and resistance to corrosion, banana stalk fiber was historically applied to make shipping rope. Its strength and durability also grew a reputation for paper-making.
Bamboo
Bamboo needs no introduction. Its profile and uses are embedded in our global awareness.