John Hardy: The Renewed Craft

One of Bali’s biggest success stories is John Hardy, a homegrown artisanal tradition gone international. The global appreciation of the brand’s artisanal toys not only fostered the continuation of the craft, but helped to establish the reputation of the island as more than a holiday destination – that it was an island populated by master craftsmen.

John Hardy, since 1975 with the silver collective artist, has brought new interest and attention to the traditions of honored jewelry. Decades later, the brand continues its commitment to jewelry manufacturing, employing 500 multi-specialist craftsmen — from watercraftsmen to metalsmiths. John Hardy Workshop & Kapal Bamboo Boutique just south of Ubud.

The Balinese crafts of community chain, weaving, hand hammering and carving continue to this day and are the basis of jewelry creation. Through innovative and conscious design, these processes can elevate elements, transforming something raw into something delicate, intricate and delicate.

The latest example of this can be seen in the John Hardy Spring 2023 Rata Chain collection. Showing how a time-honored art can be renewed, the collection expands the forms of self-expression through a bold, contemporary design, circular movements and mixed materials combined with chain-weaving signature techniques.

Classic Chain Rata Collection

A must-have in John Hardy’s collection, the Iconic Classic Chain Rata collection showcases unique weaving techniques that create a loose yet thin chain, which is then stretched and hammered for flexibility and comfort. Translated as “flat” or “flat” in Balinese, Rata is suggested to be shiny and the laces were like a constant striker. This time taking center-stage are large circle motifs, V silhouettes and a cross of fluidity and sharpness.

Some powerfully touching the ribbons of the chain, the Rata the collection is punctuated by subtle twists and understated twisted details. The design of the tongues is integrated and seamless, with forks, multi-layered forms that fluidly diverge and meet again. Gleaming, soft necklaces and bracelets form to grace the wearer’s body, featuring unbreakable loops of feathers that support the integrity of each delicate panel.

The touch of the reticulated texture of raw, raw, tricks, showing wide, virtuosic sterling silver under the hand of a master craftsman. In the interpretations of both men and women, it is a collection that plays to its dramatic potential; a capacity at once small and monumental, quiet and great.

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As a heritage collection reborn, the Rata collection takes the traditional concept of jewelry into new, avant-garde territory, with an emphasis on sustainable precious metals, a focus on clean lines and clean, unified silhouettes.

Their artisans spend one month technically mastering the art of creating a flat Rata, a smooth event, that involves weaving more and smaller links than John Hardy’s classic chain. It takes 3 days to weave one Rata Chain Bracelet, and 4 days to weave just a 14 inch necklace.

The process begins with hundreds of small metal links, which the artist weaves together and lays them across in horizontal rows. Transversally, as opposed to vertically, it creates a whole, a full silhouette, with a structure that echoes the hand-tight textile. Next, the craftsman’s hammer extends his hand into a manual rolling mill. In this stage the chain is twisted, the ribbon works in a similar form with a surface area that is wider and thinner than the other classic weaves.

The collection features seamless raw loops, forged flame textures, showcasing the virtuoso range of sterling silver under the hand of a master craftsman.

follow @johnhardybali or visit johnhardy.com as more Discover the Rata Chain and other collections at the two John Hardy boutiques available in Bali: