Vintage Carving of a Brahmana, Museum Quality Stand, Bali (1267BEM) $675
$675.00
H: 15.5” W: 8” D: 5.125” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030
Identified in Bali as Topeng Dayu or Dahyu, the mask of a Brahmana, it is a bit large to be a dance mask and, if smaller, could have filled a series of important roles in mask dances and dramas. Presented as a charming and beautiful woman from the top Hindu caste, she has delicate, detailed and sensitive features, and the carving is superbly and subtlety modeled. There are some minor paint losses and darkening of the yellow paint but its condition remains very good given its age and use, and it is presented on a museum quality stand.
Description
This folk-art carving from Bali is a traditional female Dayu, an ethnic Balinese high-caste Hindu Brahman Woman. Too large to be worn as a face mask (topeng), it is a very special and beautiful piece.. A smaller version would be used for a number of masks including Raja Putri, the noble wife/queen of a Balinese king (dalem), any high caste Brahmana as identified above; the wife of a high court official; the wife of a prime minister (patih); and Sita the wife of Rama, the hero and heroine of the ancient Hindu epic the Ramayana. These roles would have been found in Babad Dalem (Chronicles of Balinese Kings) or the great ancient Hindu epic poem the Ramayana. A thought on age, quality and lack of wear on a mask: Curator Laurie Margot Ross’ comments on Sir Thomas Raffles 19th century masks in the British Museum that have “not much wear” and suggests they may not have been used prior to his purchase. The key, of course, is not age, wear or use but the aesthetics of a carving. This piece is part of the Hindu-Cultural-and-Ritual art
Click here for the blog Indonesian Dance Masks (Topeng): Spiritually Connecting the Community
Additional information
| Place of Origin | Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Period | Vintage (1920-1980) |
| Date | 1970's |
| Materials and Technique | Wood |
| Dimensions (inches) | Ht: 15.5” W: 8” D: 5.125 on stand |
| Dimensions (metric) | Ht: 39.37cm W: 20.32cm D: 13.02cm on stand |
| Weight | 4 lbs |
| Condition | Very good, patina and wear consistent with age and use |
| Item Number | 1267BEM |
| Shipping Box Size | This item is oversized. Call 213-568-3030 for shipping cost. |
