Product Description

Winged Lions Pair

Material: Wood, paint, hand carved
Style: Bali
Size: Height 32 cm,  Width 18 cm, Depth 30 cm
Order Number: WOWL2

Temple decoration.

The predominant colours are of the gods:  red for Brahma.

This pair are a temple decoration. Winged lions also appear as a sarcophagus at cremations for the Wesia caste, as bases of pillars in buildings, as the top of posts supporting roof beams, usually in temples or palaces, as stoppers of bamboo containers, water vessels or bottles and the bases of gamelan musical instruments.

The lion is called singa in Bali. The word comes from Sanskrit singha meaning lion. The lion was native in India. The old capital in north Bali is called Singaraja meaning ‘lion king’. The lion was never indigenous in Indonesia, but was well known in the old Javanese stories, which were popular in Bali.

Tigers and leopards, however, were indigenous to Indonesia, and perhaps the artists drew inspiration from them. Knowledge of lions must have spread to Bali from India, where lions were a sign of royalty.

The lion is similar to the Chinese lion. For at least 1,000 years trade took place between China and Bali. The Balinese Barong, a lion-like creature, was also influenced by the Chinese lion.

The Balinese lion is shown standing on all four legs on the ground,  standing on his hind legs with raised forefeet, sitting on his haunches with feet stretched in front of him or lying on the ground.

Mouths wide open, protruding fangs, ears laid back, bulging wide-open eyes, and wings ready to take off.

Late 20th century.

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