The Pottery of Banyumulek: Lombok

There were two places I wanted to visit when I visited Lombok; the traditional weavers of Sukarara and the pottery at Banyumulek. Fortunately I was able to experience both of these places in the short time I had in Lombok.

Banyumulek is one of the three major pottery villages on the island. Here you will find several showrooms with all forms of pottery from floor to ceiling and most are open from 8am-5pm. Lombok has always been famous for their traditional pottery and I was amazed at the colourful selection on sale.

I was intrigued to see the potters at work behind the showroom throwing their pieces of clay on a crudely made wheel spun around by foot-power. At most places you can see the full process of creating one of these magnificent pieces of art from a handful of clay to the finished product.

Candika was impressed with the clay figurines of animals; some grotesque and others, stunning life-like. I was more interested in a few decorative pots of varying sizes for decorating the home and found exactly what I was looking for. Most showrooms can arrange shipment to your home country for a reasonable price including insurance.

Bayumulek is located around 8 kilometres south of Mataram. Head to the woodcarving village of Labuapi and it is a further 2 kilometres to Banyumulek.