Vintage 1970s Balinese Modernist Legong Dancer – Signed Royal Masterwork by I a.a.g. Sutawijaya

Details

Description

An absolute museum-grade masterpiece of late mid-century Balinese modernism, this striking 12½-inch sculpture depicts a traditional female Legong Dancer (Penari … Read more An absolute museum-grade masterpiece of late mid-century Balinese modernism, this striking 12½-inch sculpture depicts a traditional female Legong Dancer (Penari Legong) captured in a hyper-fluid, dynamic performance posture. Standing 12½ inches tall with a 3½-inch width and an expansive 7-inch depth profile, this piece is chiseled from a single, exceptionally dense block of premium tropical wood, showcasing an immaculate surface execution that embodies the absolute peak of the royal Mas village lineages. The dancer’s torso is masterfully manipulated into an elegant, sweeping S-curve, with her right hand tilting an open ceremonial fan across her hip while her left arm projects upward in a highly expressive dance mudra.
The level of cultural and architectural detailing wrapping her form is extraordinary. The head features a gorgeous, wide semi-circular petitis floral headdress chiseled with clean geometric petal borders, flowing seamlessly into a traditional, tightly coiled hair bun (wungalan) on the reverse profile. Every element of her traditional wrap attire, layered shoulder collar (badong), and ceremonial sashes are chased with spectacular depth, utilizing the timber's natural grain contours to emphasize the high-action rhythm of the dance.
The underside of the base holds an incredible layer of ironclad provenance. It features the deeply chiseled cursive signature of the celebrated master carver "AANG. SUTAWIJAYA / MAS - BALI," sitting directly beneath a clear, handwritten vintage ink ledger recording its original on-island acquisition by a Western collector in October 1980. Having been meticulously hand-conditioned with organic walnut oils, the wood cells exhibit an exquisite, glowing golden-honey liquid-satin finish that pops beautifully under gallery lights. Standing with superb stability on an integrated, custom-contoured base, this heirloom-grade masterpiece is in 1,000% flawless vintage condition, completely free of any structural cracks, chips, surface splits, or repairs. A truly rare, investment-grade acquisition for serious global collectors of ethnographic art. See less