Articulated Balinese Hand-Carved Albesia-Wood Rama Deity Mask & Pierced Openwork Crown

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This vintage 1970s Balinese wall plaque presents an exquisite example of the folk artistry of Bali, Indonesia, hand-carved from a … Read more This vintage 1970s Balinese wall plaque presents an exquisite example of the folk artistry of Bali, Indonesia, hand-carved from a block of native tropical hardwood. Measuring 14 inches in height, approximately 11 inches in total width, and 4.5 inches in depth, the mask depicts a divine character from epic theatrical performances—most likely Prince Rama or a refined deity from the Ramayana saga. The smooth, polished light blonde lacquer finish highlights the meticulous chisel work, revealing narrowed, stylized eyes, an elegant, linear nose bridge, and a calm, composed expression. Towered above its facial features is a monumental, pierced openwork crown, flanked by independent and multi-tiered structural ear ornaments measuring 10 inches in length. Uniquely engineered, these side ear wings are fully articulated and secured to the main face block with traditional wire-thread rigging. A smooth, polished finish highlights the detailed, chiseled work, revealing narrowed, stylized eyes, an elegant, linear nose bridge, and a composed expression. Towering above the facial features is a monumental, pierced openwork crown, flanked by independent, multi-tiered ear ornaments in a finished appearance. Uniquely engineered, these side ear wings are fully articulated and secured to the main face block with wire-thread rigging. This traditional construction method not only prevents the delicate, high-relief wood from snapping during handling, they also allows light to reach the outer ornaments and subtly sway during dramatic dance movements. These spectacular woodcarvings take center stage at the annual Bali Arts Festival, and Indonesian masks of this caliber are permanently archived and celebrated in specialized institutions worldwide. Gianyar, Bali, houses archives of 1,300 culturally significant regional faces. Prominent international ethnographic institutions feature similar Southeast Asian spiritual masks in their permanent collections, validating the historical and artistic significance of this piece. See less