As the premier ceramics maker in Bali, Jenggala Keramik has been providing tableware and decorative accents to luxury resorts, hotels and restaurants around the globe.  A few of their long-time clients include Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, Club Med, The Four Seasons and Aman Resorts.  Also the Balinese company has experienced a tremendous demand in Japan’s retail market.  Bali West Imports is excited and proud to be the first Authorized Dealer of Jenggala Keramik in North America.

Jenggala Keramik grew from a small experimental cottage industry to a uniquely refined company of the twenty-first century. Jenggala’s continued innovation and adherence to the core values of design and quality upon which it was founded will ensure its success within the constantly changing framework of the globalized marketplace.

History
Jenggala Keramik was founded in 1976 in Sanur's Batu Jimbar area.  The principals who made it happen were Brent Hesselyn, Wija Waworuntu (both now deceased) and his daughter Ade.  Brent was an artist from New Zealand who specialized in pottery and ceramics design. His passion for the rich culture and aesthetic of Bali formed his artistic practice, while his innovative vision yielded a design sensibility that proved to be refreshing, functional and enduring.  Wija Waworuntu, an Indonesian hotel magnate, brought a business-oriented aspect to Brent's creativity. 

Ade has always contributed a contemporary point-of-view and mind-set along with a strong social aspect to the Jenggala's products and their role in Bali.  This foundation has served the company well over the last thirty years. 

It has been enriched further by the current owners, Ade, Nancy (Brent's fiance') and their close friend and business partner, Ellen.  Together these women manage the company with  the proper balance of passion for the product, appreciation for the history and culture and the business acumen to grow the company to what it is today.  Periodically they collaborate with various artists from around the world to create special lines which are truly unique.  One fine example is the work of Amsterdam's Anne Van Borselen.  
 

How it’s made 

From design concept to packing and shipping, the quality behind the Jenggala Keramik brand owes itself to the attention, responsibility and skill applied at every phase of its production process. Each component is fulfilled on site at the factory in Bali and the company’s artists take pride in creating custom made products.

Design
Jenggala’s designers are on the front lines of contemporary trends in home décor, always aiming to invent products that will appeal and endure. From sketch pads to presentation boards, they are inspired to inject new ideas that will keep the collections fresh while maintaining the functionality and refined look of Jenggala’s Balinese essence.

Raw Materials
Design is not the only element that distinguishes Jenggala’s ceramics. Over the past 30 years Jenggala has perfected their own clay 'body'. Using the finest of raw materials, unique formulas and good quality control are used to create the body for their ceramics.  It is of such quality that other ceramic artists purchase the raw material from Jenggala for their own use.

Sculpt/ Mold/Shape
The original clay, when ready for forming, is hand thrown or casted, depending on the shape and intricacy of the piece - more basic cups and bowls are hand thrown on pottery wheels while plaster molds -also handmade in the factory- are used for casting more complex wares. Other pieces still require RAM press production where lots of finishing and trimming by hand is needed. All methods rely upon the technical skill and devoted attention of the artisans.


Glaze
Jenggala Keramik’s lab is located above the main factory. The in house technicians continually run tests to maintain the high quality of the material and formulate a veritable palette of striking, lead-free glazes. There are currently close to 200 different glaze finishes. Once the pieces are formed and dried, the glaze is sprayed on and allowed to sit in preparation of the firing.

Fire
There are currently eight kilns in use at Jenggala’s factory. The stoneware is high-fired at a peak temperature well above 1250 degrees Celsius (2000 degrees Fahrenheit) over an eight hour cycle. This vitrifies the body so that stoneware will absorb a minimal amount of water (less than 1%) and will retain heat when used with foods. It also assures that the glazes fuse with the body to create durable and attractive ceramics. In some cases further design touches are added using appliqués or emotives, in which case the product will be fired again.

Quality Control
Naturally each individual piece is inspected to assure it meets Jenggala's high standards. Since each phase of production is done by hand there will be slight variation from one piece to the next. Variations in the glaze, color, texture and finish are inherent in the making process and should be expected. These are not viewed as flaws but are rather evidence of being handcrafted and unique.  They add to the product's value.

Quality Care
Jenggala’s tableware can be used in conventional and microwave ovens and is dishwasher safe. For use in conventional oven, the ware should be placed in a cool oven and brought to desired temperature.

The product should not be used over direct heat or flame and should not be submitted from one extreme temperature to the other.

Some metals (such as aluminum) and stainless steel can leave marks on the ceramic ware. This is due to the fact that the surface of the ceramics is harder than the metals. These marks are not permanent and do not damage the glazes. To remove any marks from silverware or other metals, wash with a product such as Bar Keepers Friend, available in major hardware stores and online. By using stainless steel of proper grades you can minimize the occurrence of marking.