Central Java miniatures bring joy to collectors worldwide

Fri, February 10, 2017 / 12:04 am

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A villager crafts a wooden miniature of the Volkswagen Beetle in the village of Wates in Karanganom district, Klaten, Central Java. The products are sold to customers in countries as far as Iran and Turkey. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Miniatures of the classic Volkswagen Beetle are the most popular. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi
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A man finishes a Harley Davidson bike miniature at a workshop in Klaten, Central Java. The bikes are the most popular in foreign markets. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi
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A craftswoman makes a Harley Davidson wooden miniature in Brangkal village, Karanganom district, Klaten, Central Java. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi
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A worker sprays a clear coating onto a classic airplane miniature. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Harley Davidson miniatures that have been sprayed with clear coating are being dried. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Parts of airplane miniatures lay on the floor before being assembled. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Airplane miniatures are arranged neatly, ready to be packaged and sold. JP/ Ganug Nugroho Adi

The Central Java regency of Klaten is home to small workshops producing miniatures from leftover wood. The products are sold far beyond the region, to customers living as far away as in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Iran and Turkey.

The craftsmen make miniatures of the Volkswagen Beetle, Harley Davidson bikes and classic airplanes.

Several villages in Klaten are home to the miniature-making industry, but the most famous ones are Blanceran and Brangkal in Karanganom district. There are no fewer than 15 miniature workshops in these villages, employing about 150 people.

The most popular miniatures from Klaten are those of the Beetle and Harley Davidson. In a month, one village could produce up to 20,000 pieces, sold at between Rp 10,000 (75 US cents) and Rp 50,000 each. [evi]