Featured Bali Art Deco Signed Vishnu Garuda

Just acquired this Bali Carving 14" tall, and have been digging into the story behind it. I see this is very popular and still a popular item made nowadays. I am finding they vary in quality and condition. I was momentarily heart broken when I discovered the beak on Garuda was broken. Something I wasn't able to see in the auction photos(hate when they do that), aside from that, this has no other damage and in excellent condition. Very pleased to have found the Master carver, I. Wayan Kisid 1899-1995 (second artist listed).
found here http://www.bali-art-the-hoehn-collection.com

The first photo is more true to the color I see. Other photo's have a lamp close by. I most certainly would like to hear from @Any Jewelry and others if they have any info to enjoy or about the artist. What is the disk above Vishnu's right arm? I find that most "Vishnu riding Garuda" carvings are not carved completely on the bottom as this one. Garuda's feet are not just half carved round and Vishnu is waste up completely free standing from Garuda. Hoping these are signs of the quality

 

great carving.....but how is that art deco ?

 

Well it's no mystery, I have been wrong before. Seeing Vishnu's style arms and headdress, I found it to resemble similar carvings in @Any Jewelry 's Bali Art Deco Thread posted a while back. I can easily edit the title if it would go easier on your eyes.

 

oh, please...don't put yourself out for little old me !!

 

Shazam-- that's amazing!

 

Stunning!

 

Marco, just a reply to say I saw this thread. There is much to say (as usual), and I have to get some shut-eye now. Will be back later.

 

Detailed carving, and beautiful. I love it!

 

It is absolutely beautiful, Marco. The artistry is excellent.

It isn't just Vishnu on Garuda, btw, it is a more complex narrative which includes a Naga (dragon/snake). I think the Naga is Antaboga, the ancient Javanese World Serpent, who features in many Javanese creation stories.
This type of Balinese art is based on Javanese culture.

All I could find is that one of his carvings was entered in a 1936 exhibition of the Pita Maha art society.
Pita Maha was set up to ensure the quality of the carvings their members made. Each week carvings were presented to a panel of judges and given a pass or fail. Participation in the exhibition is a sign that Kisid was a member of Pita Maha and an artist of note at the time.

It is the Sudarshana Chakra, Vishnu's sacred discus which symbolizes the wheel of time but also serves as a weapon, depending on the tradition.

That is because this one includes Antaboga (or another Naga), Garuda is supported by Antaboga, which is the curling being at the bottom.

Those Javanese crowns and the positions of the arms are not Art Deco. They have been around for a thousand years or more, and are part of Hindu-Javanese iconography. Balinese Art Deco is not unlike Western Art Deco in that it has strong, stylised lines and a certain flow to the lines.

Although I.W. Kisid's first sculpture in the link you posted is Art Deco in style, yours isn't. It is made in a traditional style.
So @komokwa was right, great carving, but not Art Deco.

 

Apologies for delayed response, family in town.

You really give me so much to read up on. I am adding Bali to my bucket list.

So lets get the bad news out of the way first...

...But my carving speaks to me and he personally identifies himself as Art Deco?
(Once, I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken.)

Quick question: is Butan in Java, as it too is inscribed below his signature, as the place of creation? I can not find a Butan, only Bhutan(thinking it was his understanding of its spelling)?

I love the information you have provide about the artist and the three characters. I am reading that there was also a tortious below the Naga (dragon/snake). Truely a complex religion and it's Deities.

Thanks a million and a half for your time and knowledge

 

You're welcome, anytime, Marco.

Batuan, a well-known artist's village in Bali. Batuan is best known for paintings in grey tones with gold highlights, but there are carvers as well.
Nearly all inhabitants of Batuan are of the Brahmin (priestly) caste, which is why most of their art is religious.

Yours doesn't have the tortoise. Believe me, you would have noticed.
It is generally described as a turtle, btw. It's name is Bedawang Nala, the cosmic turtle. Bedawang was created by Antaboga (the Naga/snake) to support the world. He usually carries two Nagas on his back, with between them the lid of the underworld. When Bedawang moves, you get an earthquake.

Some Native American myths also feature a turtle that carries the world, which is why Native Americans sometimes call America 'Turtle Island'.

Dewi Sri on Bedawang Nala, the usual two Nagas by her side and coiling around Bedawang's head and feet:


https://searchthecollection.nga.gov.au/object?uniqueId=250271

 

Thank you once again AJ. *thumbs up*.

Bhutan or Batuan, neither match his spelling below his name. Just wondering if his is the local spelling or an error on his part or possible just and older spelling of Batuan, in your opinion? Sorry for being such a stickler, :/

 

Just an error. The name is derived from the word 'batu' which means stone or rock. Batuan literally means something pertaining to a stone or rock.
I believe there is a specific rock formation in or near Batuan, but I can't remember the details.