8904

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    Balinese Carved Wooden Pillar Base (Sendi Tugeh)

    Bali, Indonesia
    early 20th century

    height: 51.5cm, width: 28cm

    Available Enquire

    Provenance

    UK art market

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

    Of much sculptural beauty, all four sides have been elaborately carved in high relief and coloured in red, black and white ochres, and gold highlights.

    The sides are carved with stylised karang tapel monster mask motifs amid copious foliage including triangular mas-masan motifs.

    A square cavity on top allows the post to be secured.

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

    The example here has a good patina consistent with considerable age. It is elaborate, sculptural and highly decorative.

     

    Above: A related sendi tugeh displayed in the Bali Museum, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.

     

    Scroll down for more images.

    References

    Maxwell, R. et alBali: Island of the Gods, National Gallery of Australia, 2014.

    Ramseyer, U., The Art and Culture of Bali, Oxford University Press, 1977.

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