1960s Balinese Hand-Carved Teak Mythological & Bhoma Relief Panel - Museum Auction Provenance

Details

Description

An intricately chiseled Balinese architectural wood relief carving depicting a multi-figure narrative scene alongside traditional protective iconography. Sourced from Ubud, … Read more An intricately chiseled Balinese architectural wood relief carving depicting a multi-figure narrative scene alongside traditional protective iconography. Sourced from Ubud, Bali, this 33” x 17.5” openwork panel demonstrates traditional openwork deep-relief carving techniques.The upper and mid-sections display dynamically posed figures from traditional Hindu epic narratives set within heavily detailed, flowing scrollwork representing stylized foliage, clouds, and water waves. The composition is anchored at the base by a prominent Bhoma guardian visage featuring classic wide eyes, prominent fangs, and splayed-finger hands, which traditionally serve a protective architectural role in Balinese Hinduism to guard thresholds against negative influences.

Carved from a single thick slab of solid Indonesian teak, the panel shows a tight vertical grain structure, sharp relief edges, and a rich, naturally aged medium-brown patina. Provenance & Documentation This piece features excellent institutional provenance, having been acquired at a curated art auction at the Fuller Craft Museum (then operating under its historical name, the Fuller Museum of Art) in Brockton, Massachusetts, circa 1990. The reverse side preserves invaluable historical documentation written in pencil directly onto the wood grain by the workshop. It explicitly features the artisan workshop mark "W. DJABUD," the regional origin location "UBUD," and an original vintage retail export price notation of "$18.00." A photograph of these markings is included in the listing images to verify authenticity.

Dimensions: Height: 33 inches (83.82 cm) Width: 17.5 inches (44.45 cm) Depth: Approx. 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) See less