This spectacular headdress was crafted by hand by master artisans on the island of Bali, Indonesia, sometimes during the 1970’s.

The name derives from an antique Indonesian dance, born as a social happening used to unify communities under the Majapahit Empire around the 1500’s. Traditionally the dance was once performed by men in women’s attire, but is now also performed by women as a form of gratitude after a good harvest. The Gandrung is categorised as a jogeddance, a companionship dance, where the dancers are adorned with elaborate headdresses called Gelungan Gangdrung, made from the temple where the dancers associate themselves with.

The Gandrung is also a sacred dance, associated with tradition and religious rituals and the Gelungan headdress is said to be the bridge connecting dancers with the deities. The dancers are believed to create a connection to the cosmos in an elaborate process, through the gamelan orchestra and through chants and prayers before dance, so the dancers can go into trance. The style of the Gandrung is organic, flowing with graceful movements as the dancers are possessed by spirits.
Being a sacred dance not just anyone can perform it, but only dancers chosen through special temple rituals and purification ceremonies.

The Gelungan comes complete on a black metal stand and its story printed out for you inside a beautiful envelope. The handmade metal support has subtle imperfections and the potential for a natural patina to emerge over time.

Dimensions with the stand: 43 x 28 x 19