Antiques alley in Kerobokan Bali

There are many people in Bali selling antiques, or things that look like antiques and many of the tourists don't know where to find stuff. Kuta is full of handicrafts, things made out of rattan or bamboo etc. The antique stuff is older and bigger, usually make of jati (teakwood) or other higher quality stuff. Today I rode along Jl. Tangkuban Peraku, Br. Pengipian in Kerobokan (that was a mouthful wasn't it!). This street is off of Jl. Raya Kerobokan, turn right at the across heading in the other direction to Jl. Petitenget. This road is really a big back street but it is lined with places that stock or are making big pieces of furniture or decorations. A friend told me that some places in Bali get antiques and modify them to be furniture. I saw huge carved doors, 6ft tall wooden pots, dugout canoes from other parts of the country and even a little hut for sale.

There are guys sitting by the roadside carving so not all the stuff is antique, but hotels and people with spacious houses are often looking for that rough, primal ethnic appearance. Most of the things I have seen that are antiques are definitely rough looking, in total contrast to what one would think of when looking for Chinese antiques.

If you live in Seminyak this street loops around and joins the Sunset Rd directly across from Jl. Kunti (Bali Deli, Prana Spa). It has many of these places and for someone looking for original large items this place might work for you. Buying stuff off of shops on Jl. Seminyak will be way more expensive. This place is closer to the source. You have to be very careful though when buying antiques as the Balinese are skilled at carving something, burying it in the ground for a couple of years after special preparation and it will look 100 years old.