Kemong, 'Dragon'
Ornate dragons slither along the top of the kemong, exhaling heated breath of fire. The kemong is a high-pitched gong whose resonance is best conveyed when struck with a soft mallet, such as the panggul that is included. It is an integral part of the gamelan, an energetic orchestra at the center of Indonesia's art-music tradition. The importance of the gamelan goes well beyond the pleasure of music and into the realm of ritual ceremony; each instrument in the ensemble is considered a work of art and an object of devotion. The stand of this kemong is hand-carved from mahogany wood; the intricate details produce a striking combination of shadowed and reflective surfaces, highlighting the rich grain of the material. The panggul is elaborated with painted brass and covered with cotton cloth. Offers a distinctive note to original musical compositions. A musician himself, Ading handcrafts the traditional musical instruments of his native Java. He uses mahogany, jackfruit wood, and bamboo, skillfully eliciting the right tones from each instrument.