Material: Wood, paint, leather, bells
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size:  Height of mask 32 cm (not including beard), Width 68  cm (ear to ear), Depth 27 cm
Order Number: MHSBKM1

The jaw opens.

“Sacred Barong Ket masks get special treatment. Only brahmana carvers are allowed to carve them and the work takes place in the temple. Men sleep in the temple at night guarding it and women present daily offerings during the whole process. The mask is the most important part of the Barong and it is carved and painted in a special raised pavilion. Once the mask is carved by the brahmana woodcarver, commoners from the sudra caste polish the surface with sandpaper.

The brahmana carver paints the first brush stroke and hands over to specially trained craftsmen, who use traditional paints. The Barong may have up to 150 coats of paint. It is gilded in parts and highly polished. The eyes are large and bulbous, ringed in red, black, yellow and white, the colours of the gods Brahma, Wisnu, Mahadewa and Iswara. The Barong’s penetrating gaze portrays mixed expressions of fury and fun.

The Barong’s beard is powerful, its black hair donated by a pre-pubescent girl. It can bring people out of trance, purify and cure. His inner mouth, lips and eyes are inscribed with magical signs and protective charms are attached to the back of his neck. A protrusion at the top of his head indicates Siwa’s thunderbolt.

As the mask and body are joined three ceremonies take place in the temple to bring the Barong to life. A further ceremony takes place in the cemetery around midnight. Only priests, the mask maker, senior craftsmen and principal headmen are allowed to attend the secret rituals. At about 2 am a flaming ball enters the Barong and the sky turns a luminescent purple. The ceremony is finished.

Angela Hobart in Healing Performances of Bali (2003) summarises the paradoxical nature of the Barong,

While male, he has female features, as evidenced by his beard made from the hair of a pre-menstruating girl. Created by humans, he is a vehicle of the supreme god—especially Siwa.”

From our book Secrets of Bali, Fresh Light on the Morning of the World

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Balinese Barong Ket Mask 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, paint, hair, leather, bells
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size:  Height of mask 38 cm, Width 70  cm, Depth 20 cm; Height of beard 38 cm
Order Number: MB39B

This is the highest quality of mask, using the best materials and painting numerous times – temple quality. The jaw opens.

“Sacred Barong Ket masks get special treatment. Only brahmana carvers are allowed to carve them and the work takes place in the temple. Men sleep in the temple at night guarding it and women present daily offerings during the whole process. The mask is the most important part of the Barong and it is carved and painted in a special raised pavilion. Once the mask is carved by the brahmana woodcarver, commoners from the sudra caste polish the surface with sandpaper.

The brahmana carver paints the first brush stroke and hands over to specially trained craftsmen, who use traditional paints. The Barong may have up to 150 coats of paint. It is gilded in parts and highly polished. The eyes are large and bulbous, ringed in red, black, yellow and white, the colours of the gods Brahma, Wisnu, Mahadewa and Iswara. The Barong’s penetrating gaze portrays mixed expressions of fury and fun.

The Barong’s beard is powerful, its black hair donated by a pre-pubescent girl. It can bring people out of trance, purify and cure. His inner mouth, lips and eyes are inscribed with magical signs and protective charms are attached to the back of his neck. A protrusion at the top of his head indicates Siwa’s thunderbolt.

As the mask and body are joined three ceremonies take place in the temple to bring the Barong to life. A further ceremony takes place in the cemetery around midnight. Only priests, the mask maker, senior craftsmen and principal headmen are allowed to attend the secret rituals. At about 2 am a flaming ball enters the Barong and the sky turns a luminescent purple. The ceremony is finished.

Angela Hobart in Healing Performances of Bali (2003) summarises the paradoxical nature of the Barong,

While male, he has female features, as evidenced by his beard made from the hair of a pre-menstruating girl. Created by humans, he is a vehicle of the supreme god—especially Siwa.”

From our book Secrets of Bali, Fresh Light on the Morning of the World

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Balinese Barong Ket Mask 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, paint, paper
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 20 cm, Width 32 cm (ear to ear),  Depth 15 cm
Order Number: MHSBM2

“Sacred Barong Ket masks get special treatment. Only brahmana carvers are allowed to carve them and the work takes place in the temple. Men sleep in the temple at night guarding it and women present daily offerings during the whole process. The mask is the most important part of the Barong and it is carved and painted in a special raised pavilion. Once the mask is carved by the brahmana woodcarver, commoners from the sudra caste polish the surface with sandpaper.

The brahmana carver paints the first brush stroke and hands over to specially trained craftsmen, who use traditional paints. The Barong may have up to 150 coats of paint. It is gilded in parts and highly polished. The eyes are large and bulbous, ringed in red, black, yellow and white, the colours of the gods Brahma, Wisnu, Mahadewa and Iswara. The Barong’s penetrating gaze portrays mixed expressions of fury and fun.

The Barong’s beard is powerful, its black hair donated by a pre-pubescent girl. It can bring people out of trance, purify and cure. His inner mouth, lips and eyes are inscribed with magical signs and protective charms are attached to the back of his neck. A protrusion at the top of his head indicates Siwa’s thunderbolt.

As the mask and body are joined three ceremonies take place in the temple to bring the Barong to life. A further ceremony takes place in the cemetery around midnight. Only priests, the mask maker, senior craftsmen and principal headmen are allowed to attend the secret rituals. At about 2 am a flaming ball enters the Barong and the sky turns a luminescent purple. The ceremony is finished.

Angela Hobart in Healing Performances of Bali (2003) summarises the paradoxical nature of the Barong,

While male, he has female features, as evidenced by his beard made from the hair of a pre-menstruating girl. Created by humans, he is a vehicle of the supreme god—especially Siwa.”

From our book Secrets of Bali, Fresh Light on the Morning of the World

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Balinese Barong Mask appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, paint
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 26 cm (without beard), Height of beard: 16 cm, Width 46 cm (ear to ear)
Order Number: MHSBTBM1

The Tiger (Macan) Barong is a variation of a Barong used in various temple dances, including Calonarrang, and at village purification ceremonies, especially during the holiday of Galungan.

The mask has two handles at the back and is carved from light, tropical wood. The Barong dancer holds the mask in front of his face with the handles, moves the jaws up and down, and makes a clacking sound.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Balinese Tiger Barong Mask appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Style: Bali
Order Number: TABL

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The post Barong Landung appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Style: Bali
Order Number: TAEB

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The post Elephant Barong appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Style: Bali
Order Number: TAWB

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The post Wild Boar Barong appeared first on Murni's in Bali.