Javanese Black Terracotta Candleholder, "Black Cloud Bamboo"

Crafted by hand, this rectangular tea light candleholder is incised with mega mendung patterns. Mega mendung is a traditional batik motif from Cirebon, West Java. It represents a cloud in many shapes and colors. Mega itself has meaning of "cloud," while mendung is "dark cloud." Women potters from the Lombok Pottery Center work in terracotta, polishing the unglazed clay to a sleek, smooth finish.