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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;all_fakes, post: 342119, member: 55&quot;]Others will correct me or know more, but one frequently sees winged figures in Balinese import shops - flying pigs, elephant-fish, dragons, cats, goddesses.&nbsp;&nbsp; They can be hung as mobiles over a cradle, for example.</p><p>The tradition I&#039;ve heard is that they are demon-chasers, hung up to scare away demons who might harm a baby or other household-members.&nbsp;&nbsp; But in contemporary times, probably mostly just sold to the import market as decorative items.</p><p>Yours does look to have some age, and is likely from Bali or Java, I&#039;d think.</p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;The Flying Winged Spirit Guardians (also sometimes called &quot;Cradle Guardians&quot;) myth goes all the way back ancient Majapahit Mythology,&nbsp; the roots of Balinese culture and art.</p><p><br /></p><p>These Guardian figures are still produced by Balinese artisans today for they have deep cultural &amp; spiritual significance. Typically these carvings have been used in temples or homes since ancient times to ward off evil spirits. They are always hung in a high spot, or if a statue placed on a beam or shelf looking down towards a door or window. Many types may be found from flying angels (known as &quot;Dewi&quot; which means &quot;Goddess&quot; in Balinese), animals or strange hybrids, such as head of a horse head &amp; tail of a fish, or &quot;Gajamina&quot; head of an elephant &amp; tail of a fish.&nbsp; It is believed that a Flying Guardian placed in ones home or sacred space will drive away evil spirits and protect the premises from harm.&quot; (quoting Arcadia World Traders Co.)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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