traditional Balinese wood carving

[ntgerald]

In the old market in Sukawati, a district in Denpasar, while everyone else looked for silver jewelry, batik, spices, etc etc, I spent most of an hour haggling over this carving. Made from a single piece of kepelan (magnolia) wood imported from the island of Borneo, the carving is a three-dimensional illustration from the Ramayana, of Khrisna and Arjuna. Well, well, well…when I got home I reviewed what the epic was about, and it should be actually Rama and his brother Lakshmana…?

I hand carried the piece aboard two Singapore Airline planes, from Denpasar to Singapore and thence to Manila. I was afraid to break even just a tiny piece. 19 inches by 19.75 inches.

However, it was this rounded carving of dragons and other tiny creatures, flowers, and plants at the hotel lobby that first caught my eye. Made from a reddish brown piece of hardwood, it is probably 4 feet in diameter.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I the one you brought home! What amazing work! Glad you made it home with out any damage.

Cheers!
BD

[Diane]

Both are beautiful. I'm sure you will enjoy your purchase for a long time! I hope you have a spot planned for it in your new home...

[Molly Taco]

What wonderful Art work! The one that you brought home is incredible. Is it the same magnola that grows here in the US?
Cin

[ntgerald]

What wonderful Art work! The one that you brought home is incredible. Is it the same magnola that grows here in the US?
Cin

Probably not the same species, Molly. I would assume the same genus.

[Piper]

Nelson,

What is the story depicted in your carving?

Julie

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Very beautiful carvings!
My parents have a few wood carving asian art pieces. One depicts an ancient legendary battle, another one has motifs similar to the second wood carving piece. The dragon and phoenix motif (on the second wood carving piece) is very popular in asian arts, especially in chinese or chinese-influenced cultures. The dragon symbolizes the King (or Yang, the positive element) while the phoenix symbolizes the Queen (or Yin(g), the negative element).
Cheers. Hoa.

[ntgerald]

Nelson,

What is the story depicted in your carving?

Julie

The question has been answered satisfactorily elsewhere *wink*, and I quote in full...

"Gerald... right names but wrong epic. That is Krishna and Arjuna riding in to battle against the Kauravas (Arjuna's cousins). However, its not from the Ramayana but from the Mahabharata.

This is a scene which is often depicted in paintings and sculptures because this is when Krishna acting as Arjuna's charioteer delivers what is now known as the 'Bhagwad Gita'. Arjuna was having second thoughts and regrets about fighting against his cousins but Krishna gives him a lot of advice about doing one's duty and not letting sentiment or anything else come in the way of that.

Beautiful piece of work, Gerald. Must say its intriguing to see a Balinese twist to an Indian story.(I'm talking about the clothes, etc.)"

from Sunita, in India.

[Diane]

. The dragon symbolizes the King (or Yang, the positive element) while the phoenix symbolizes the Queen (or Yin(g), the negative element).
Cheers. Hoa.

Translation: The dragon represents the overblown, testosterone fed male ego, while the phoenix represents the tempered, wise, female nature...

[Mehera]

Why--YES!--that says it brilliantly Diane! :-)

It's kind of cool to be represented by a phoenix....