Mas Bali, Female Figure, 1900, Wood

Details

Description

Elegant early 20th-century balinese female figure, hand-carved from dense tropical hardwood and richly finished with gold leaf, standing approximately 105 … Read more Elegant early 20th-century balinese female figure, hand-carved from dense tropical hardwood and richly finished with gold leaf, standing approximately 105 cm high.
the piece features the authentic hand-chiseled signature "mas bali" in capital letters under the base, certifying its origin from the legendary village of mas, the undisputed historical capital of elite woodcarving in bali.
historical & artistic context
the sculpture depicts a graceful woman in traditional ceremonial attire, holding a finely carved ritual vessel near her shoulder. Her elaborate headdress, floral ornament, jewelry and richly decorated garments are all rendered with exceptional attention to detail.
the entire surface is enlivened by refined hand-carved motifs inspired by traditional balinese floral, vegetal and textile ornament. The precise incisions, carefully modeled face and hands, and fluid treatment of the drapery demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship.
particularly striking is the gold-leaf surface, which enhances the relief of the carving and gives the sculpture a warm, luminous presence. The gilding catches the light across the headdress, garments and sculpted details, creating a rich interplay of highlights and shadows while allowing the underlying carved decoration to remain clearly legible.
the dense tropical hardwood provides a compact and stable support for both the fine carving and the gilt finish. Natural variations in the surface, minor wear and subtle tonal differences are consistent with age and contribute to the authentic character of the piece.
produced in bali in the early decades of the 20th century, this type of figurative sculpture reflects the island’s long tradition of ceremonial and decorative wood carving, where idealized female figures, ritual attributes and elaborate costumes form an important part of the visual language.
with its height of approximately 105 cm, the sculpture has a strong decorative presence and is particularly effective when displayed on a pedestal or low plinth in an entrance hall, living room, gallery, hotel interior or sophisticated eclectic setting.
origin: bali, indonesia
period: early 20th century, circa 1900
material: dense tropical hardwood with gold-leaf finish
technique: hand carved and gilt
height: approximately 105 cm
provenance: a&myart collection since 1978
condition: good antique condition consistent with age, with natural patina, minor surface wear and age-related variations to the gilding and wood. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less