Antique Balinese Kamasan Wayang Painting – Traditional Mythological Scene 31"

Details

Description

Authentic Traditional Balinese Kamasan (Wayang-style) Painting

Professionally Mounted & Framed – 31 x 19 inches

This is a stunning example … Read more Authentic Traditional Balinese Kamasan (Wayang-style) Painting

Professionally Mounted & Framed – 31 x 19 inches

This is a stunning example of traditional Balinese Kamasan painting from the village of Kamasan in Klungkung, East Bali. The style is the classical two-dimensional “wayang” narrative form that has been practiced for centuries, closely related to Balinese shadow puppet theatre.The painting depicts a lively mythological scene featuring elaborately costumed figures (including fierce rakshasa/demon characters), animals such as deer and pigs, palm trees, and stylized landscape elements typical of the Kamasan tradition. These works traditionally illustrate episodes from the Hindu epics (especially the Ramayana) and related Balinese stories.

This is an exceptionally powerful work due to the extremely warm, aged ochre/brown surface making it look almost like an archaeological object, and the sophisticated dark linework giving the whole scene tremendous presence. The artist maintains an unusually consistent, extremely fine contour line despite the enormous amount of information packed into the composition.

Details:

Medium: Natural pigments on cloth (traditional Kamasan technique)
Style: Classical Kamasan / Wayang painting
Approximate age: Early 20th century
Size: 31 x 19 inches (framed)
Professionally mounted and framed in a gold-toned frame, ready to hang

Condition: Good antique condition. Overall warm brown darkening is present throughout the fabric, a common result of age combined with the mid-20th-century professional mounting adhesive. The image itself remains intact and well-preserved. There is some minor peeling/fraying of the fabric from the board to which it is mounted. Wear commensurate with age and use.
This is a decorative and culturally interesting piece of authentic traditional Balinese art, not a modern tourist reproduction. Kamasan paintings of this type were originally made for temples, royal pavilions, and ceremonial use, and later collected for their narrative detail and distinctive style. See less