Museum-Quality Mid 20th Century Balinese Suar Wood Goddess Dewi Sri With Birds Masterwork Sculpture (Mas, Bali)

Details

Description

An extraordinary, investment-grade mid-century Balinese wood carving depicting Dewi Sri, the Goddess of Rice, Agriculture, and Fertility. Unquestionably one of … Read more An extraordinary, investment-grade mid-century Balinese wood carving depicting Dewi Sri, the Goddess of Rice, Agriculture, and Fertility. Unquestionably one of the finest and most intricately executed Balinese masterworks to surface on the market, this museum-quality sculpture is hand-carved from a single, substantial block of premium Suar wood. The natural grain transitions flawlessly from light golden honey hues across the upper forms to deep, warm caramel tones near the lower base, accentuating the natural geometry of the timber.
The artistry present in this piece represents an apex achievement by an anonymous master carver from the Mas region. The structural execution features breathtaking, deep-pierced openwork and impossibly delicate undercuts. The goddess stands in an elegant, fluid pose, adorned with a highly elaborate, multi-tiered filigree headdress and deeply incised traditional ceremonial attire. In her hands, she delicately cradles two mangosteens, traditional symbols of purity, nature's bounty, and sacred agricultural offerings. A magnificent songbird with fully extended, delicately feathered wings sweeps past her shoulder to touch her cheek, while a secondary companion bird mirrors the curves of her posture at her feet. Every square inch of the wood is rich with geometric texturing, displaying a level of skill that completely transcends standard export-grade carvings.
Art Movement: Golden Age Balinese Modernist / Advanced Pitomaha Legacy Style
Region of Origin: Mas, Ubud District, Bali, Indonesia
Artist: Unsigned Master CarverMaterial: Selected Dual-Tone Suar WoodCondition: Exceptional vintage condition; structural integrity is perfectly preserved with all incredibly delicate filigree elements, feathers, and pointed crowns completely intact; beautiful natural wood grain patina.
Dimensions
Height: 16 1/4 inches
Width: 8 1/2 inches
Depth: 4 inches
Estimated Era
Circa 1950s–1960s (Mid-Century Golden Era)
The extreme depth of the openwork piercing combined with the specific stylized, elongated features of the goddess perfectly captures the peak post-war renaissance of the Mas carving community, before modern tourism pressures led to simpler, less time-consuming compositions. See less