Antaboga Temple Mask from Bali

Antaboga temple mask, Bali, Indonesia. Carved and engraved pule wood and gold paint. Antaboga is the world serpent of traditional pre-Islamic Javanese mythology (before the era of Demak kingdom). It is a derivative from Shiva-Hinduism Ananta Shesha combined with Javanism. After the fall of the kingdom of Majapahit and the ascent of Islam in Java, the centre for Hinduism shifted to Bali. These days many of the old myths and legends are celebrated in the wayang performance that became a vehicle to combine the syncretic philosophies from outside with those philosophies and ideas already rooted within the local cultures and traditions, length 48 x 27 cm. Provenance: Ex Todd Barlin collection, Sydney. Private collection, New South Wales