Balinese Polychrome, Gilt & Carved Wooden Column Base (Sendi Tugeh)

This well-carved wooden image 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. It is carved as a winged lion (singa bersayap) but with the head of the lion pointing down, wings outstretched, as if in flight and caught in a downdraught. The lion has bulging eyes, a mouth slightly open to reveal sharp white fangs, prominent ears, and a short, curled tail.

A panel on the reverse is carved in high relief with flower motifs and a large monster mask of a type known as a karang tapel (Ramseyer, 1977, p. 68).

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

A square cavity to the top of the base (the rear-end of the winged lion) would have allowed the post to be inserted.

Maxwell (2014, p. 79, 96-97) illustrates several carved items with similar carving work and colour schemes which are attributed to 19th century Singaraya, Buleleng Regency, in northern Bali, so it seems that a similar attribution for the example here is likely.

The example here has a fine patina consistent and obvious age. There is some minor loss perhaps due to termites but this tends to be authenticating. It is a fine, decorative and sculptural piece.