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Monumental Balinese Topeng Mask Goddess Sinta – Pule Wood & Gold Leaf – circa 1950
€595Bid from €535.50
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Private sellerDamme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales
Product description
**Spiritual Significance: Prosperity and Harmony**
This monumental, hand-carved Balinese theatre mask embodies the divine essence of Dewi Sinta (Sita). In spiritual tradition, Sinta not only symbolizes unwavering strength but is, above all, the bringer of prosperity, deep harmony, and happiness to the living space. As a centerpiece in any interior, this soulful mask acts as a powerful protector of the family and domestic peace. Her serene, meditative smile and radiant Prada gold layer are specifically designed to generate a flow of positive energy, tranquility, and abundance. This makes the object an extremely powerful symbol for anyone seeking spiritual balance and prosperity in daily life.
**Forensic Audit & Material Study**
**Sacred Pule Wood (Alstonia scholaris):** The mask is handcrafted from the ritually harvested wood of the Pule tree. In Bali, this wood is considered sacred and imbued with spirit, traditionally only to be felled after specific offerings at the cemetery (Setra). It provides the perfect balance between spiritual protection and a feather-light weight for the dancer.
**Traditional Prada Gilding:** The face and tiara are embellished with original Prada gold leaf. This gold powder is fixed with natural fish glue (Ancur) over a deep red base of traditional cinnabar pigment. The brilliant, natural wear and craquelure at the friction points attest to its vintage age.
**Functional Topeng Design:** The interior is deeply and ergonomically carved, featuring the characteristic horizontal viewing slits beneath the eyelids. This confirms its active functionality as a dance mask within the Topeng tradition.
**Irrefutable Provenance & Patina**
The reverse of this mask tells the true story of its history. The interior exhibits an intense, deep dark discoloration of the wood. This is an organic, unstained wear patina built up through the penetration of skin oils, perspiration, and decades of exposure to temple soot and incense during ceremonial performances. Furthermore, the reverse attests to a rich European collecting history: it bears the handwritten, early inventory number 4128 and a historical paper label with the handwritten note "Mars," indicating the deconstruction of an old, high-quality private collection.
**Technical Specifications**
**Culture:** Bali, Indonesia
**Character:** Dewi Sinta (Ramayana)
**Dating:** Mid-20th Century (approx. 1940–1960)
**Dimensions:** Height 43.5 cm × Width 30 cm (Monumental centerpiece)
**Condition:** Excellent, well-preserved ritual condition with beautiful age patina and authentic wear to the gold layer.
Additional details:
- Brand: 1stbuddha
- Style: Balinees
- Style: Traditional Topeng
- Material: Pule Hout
- Material: Bladgoud
- Material: Vislijm
- Material: Cinnaber-pigment
- Colour: Goud
- Colour: Dieprood
- Period: Midden 20e eeuw (ca. 1940–1960)
- availability: in_stock
Specifications
CategorySculptureConditionVery goodSeller locationDamme, GermanyDelivery optionsDelivery or pickup
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerDamme, GermanyOn Whoppah since February 2025 • 3 sales