Rare Balinese Dewi Sri Rice Goddess Head, Indonesia, Nusa Penida (1253)

Description

This weathered carved head  is the Hindu, Javanese, Sudanese and Balinese Goddess of Rice, Fertility and Prosperity Dewi Sri who is still worshipped on the Indonesian islands of Java, Bali, Lombok and Nusa Penida. First introduced in Indonesia about the early first century, she is associated with the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and continues to be venerated in rituals and ceremonies, especially those to asure a successful crop. As the Goddess of Rice, she controls agricultural, fertility,  and well being of all rice farmers and even their life and death. Farmers erect permanent temples and periodic shrines among the rice paddies and may place offerings of rice and flowers on banana leaves in every rice paddy. Her origin stem from prehistoric times and similar rice spirits and deities are found throughout Indonesia and  in neighboring countries, especially Thailand and Cambodia.

This elongated, oval, heavily weathered face is off white/cream with painted details of high black eyebrows and slightly open red lips outlined in black forming a subtle smile. Made from hardwood, the surface shows age, abrasions, pigment losses and cracks, especially around her left cheek and brow. Probably carved in Nusa it is a lovely rare rustic piece.  Like those made in Bali, it was likely made for placement an a rice padi or rice field temple for the yearly celebration (every 210 days on the Balinese calendar) honoring Dewi Sri.