Mid-Century Balinese Macassar Ebony Garuda and Naga Combat Sculpture (Mas, Bali)

Details

Description

An exceptional, highly dynamic mid-century Balinese mythological sculpture depicting the divine eagle king, Garuda, in fierce combat with a coiled … Read more An exceptional, highly dynamic mid-century Balinese mythological sculpture depicting the divine eagle king, Garuda, in fierce combat with a coiled Naga serpent. Hand-carved from a single, remarkably heavy piece of solid premium Macassar ebony wood, this striking sculpture showcases the aggressive expressionism and deep-cut dramatic openwork characteristic of master Mas carvers.
The scene features magnificent structural tension, with the snarling, fanged deity grappling the textured, scale-incised body of the serpent as it wraps aggressively around his legs and chest. Garuda's multi-layered crown and stylized wings are deeply carved to create intense pocket shadows. The deep charcoal and jet-black timber has a beautiful, rich surface with excellent hand-polished details. Entirely stable and structurally complete, this compact masterwork carries a phenomenal, heavy physical weight. It is free of any filled cracks, repairs, or broken tips, presenting a gorgeous natural vintage patina.

Art Movement: Balinese Mythological Modernism / Mid-Century Expressionist Realism

Region of Origin: Mas, Ubud District, Bali, IndonesiaArtist: Unsigned Artisan Master

Material: Solid Premium Macassar Ebony Wood

Condition: Excellent vintage condition; 100% structurally complete with no chips, breaks, or repairs; natural aged patina beautifully preserved.

Dimensions
Height: 8 1/2 inches
Width: 4 1/4 inches
Depth: 3 inches

Estimated Era
Circa 1950s–1960s (The Post-War Era)
The heavy focus on capturing dramatic muscle tension, aggressive mythological expressions, and complex multi-layered overlapping figures perfectly matches the top-tier export art created for international collectors during the post-war Balinese renaissance. See less