Balinese Two-Sided Carved Wooden Column Base (Sendi Tugeh)

This well carved wooden block from the the Hindu island of Bali in Indonesia would have served as a pillar base (sendi tugeh) probably at an entrance of an open-walled pavilion, most probably in a temple compound.

Of much sculptural beauty, it has a tapering form. Each side has been elaborately carved in high relief with a monster head known as a karang bhoma. The monster figures have winged floral headdresses, bulging eyes, and fanged teeth.

The pillar base has been decorated with red, white and black pigments. There are also traces of gilding.

The base on which the karang bhoma rests is carved with various motifs including karang asti heads (garuda-like heads with long beaks lined with teeth).

A square cavity to the top of the base would have allowed the post to be inserted.

See Ramseyer (1977, fig. 97 & 98) for related sendi tugeh with similar karang motifs.

The example here has a fine patina consistent and obvious age. There is a small cavity to the base (obscured by the carving) which is either part of the natural fissure in the tree or from age-related loss. It is not visible from either of the main sides of the base.