Krobongan: the sacred shrine within the dalem...

My own dalem reassembled from a noble house in Kemlayan, Surakarta. This patang aring or wooden wall divider was removed in-situ from a limasan-roofed dalem that dates to the 18th century. The style of the carving and make of the gebyok itself is characteristically Solonese, unique to this central Javanese city.

The side view of the patang aring, constructed entirely of teak; peg-jointed, dovetailed and coloured in kincu (chinese vermillion), prada (gold leaf) and pelitur (woodstain) India.

Detail of a senthong door, fully carved with scrolling lotus and tendrils in Solonese style

A view of the senthong tengah with the krobongan structure inside

Detail of the upper panels

The old-style 2 mm glass

Detail of the central panel of the side doors, scrolling lotus and tendrils

A close-up of the krobongan with the carved pillars and original curtain drapes

The Krobongan structure is draped (dikerobongi, [dipajang, diselubungi] hence the name) with cloth coverings and is itself enclosed inside a fully enclosed wooden room constructed entirely of teak planks.

A glimpse of the sacred wooden sculptures which date to the late 18th century sitting in-state before the krobongan