Located in Vigonza, Padua
An impressive early 20th-century Balinese carved female figure, crafted from dense tropical hardwood and standing approximately 150 cm tall.
The piece features the authentic, hand-chiseled "MAS BALI" signature in capital letters on the base, certifying its origin from the legendary village of Mas, the undisputed historical capital of elite woodcarving in Bali. Historical and Artistic Context
With the founding of the Pita Maha art movement, Western artists introduced concepts from the European art market as well as Art Deco aesthetic sensibilities—elements that local master carvers from Mas masterfully blended with their own traditions.
The sculpture depicts an elegantly posed female figure wearing traditional ceremonial attire and an elaborate headdress, while holding a ritual vessel. The entire surface is richly adorned with hand-carved ornamental motifs, including floral and geometric designs, finely incised textile patterns, jewelry details, and carefully modeled hair.
The quality of the carving is particularly remarkable. The sculptor has used the dense grain of the hardwood to create deep yet precise incisions, sharp decorative borders, and a strong sculptural definition throughout the figure. The natural variations in the wood, combined with the warm brown patina that has developed over time, give the piece considerable depth and character.
The figure is carved primarily from a substantial section of solid tropical hardwood, with the material's natural grain and age-related movement still visible. Minor variations, old shrinkage lines, and surface irregularities are consistent with the age and handmade nature of the piece and contribute to its authentic decorative appeal.
Balinese figurative...
Category
1920s Art Deco Vintage Indonesian Furniture