The Goddess Kali Appears to a Hunter - Vintage Balinese Ubud Painting Mask Dance by Konci

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Incredibly detailed depiction of the goddess Kali appearing before a hunter by Konci (Balinese, 20th Century). Overflowing with details and … Read more Incredibly detailed depiction of the goddess Kali appearing before a hunter by Konci (Balinese, 20th Century). Overflowing with details and imagery, this piece depicts the goddess Kali in the forest along with other godlike figures. A hunter is kneeling before them, wearing a quiver, and with hands folded in prayer. Kali is depicted in a traditional Balinese style, but with a multitude of faces engulfed in flames. The jungle background is full of swirling plants.

Signed "Konci" in the lower right corner.
Cloth wrapped around wood panel.
Unframed.
Image size: 35"H x 25.5"W
This carved, wooden mask represents the mythical creature known in Bali as Banaspati Raja, meaning “King of the Forest,” also called the Barong Ket. Lion-like masks such as this one are the most common type, but Barong can take on the features of a number of different animals, including wild boar, dog, deer, and tiger, individually or in composite form.

In Balinese society, all Barong masks are considered to be sacred items and therefore demand careful and intricate artistry. On this mask, the large, bulging eyes of the creature are enhanced with pigment. Two prominent wooden tusks protrude from either side of the mouth. The ornate mane that spreads out around the face consists of elaborately tooled leather and hair has been threaded beneath the lower lip to give the creature a beard.

Although Barong masks have become popular items among foreign collectors, to the Balinese they are much more than objects of aesthetic merit. Every Balinese village has a Barong that it considers its guardian. The Barong mask is a means of both giving the spirit tangible form and harnessing its energy. Stored in the village temple, the mask is brought out on special occasions and asked to bestow blessings on the community or restore the balance of cosmic forces. At these times, the Barong might be placed on an altar or worn, along with a full body costume, in ceremonial procession and theatrical events. During sacred performances, two members of the community dance the Barong mask and costume, which together can weigh as much as one hundred pounds. When one of the dancers, another participant in the performance, or an audience member falls into a trance, it is believed that the spirit of the Barong has been successfully invoked. See less