15 Mar 2020 Hand Crafted Balinese Masks
Are you familiar with the concept of decorative or ritualistic mask? There are places on earth where the richest handicraft is mask making. Bali (in Indonesia) is one such creative place. Here are some interesting facts about Bali mask making.
Bali masks are seen most often in the regular dance performances and for ritual purposes. The Balinese use masks most often when celebrating temple birthdays. In Bali there are over thousands of temples, each with a different birthdays. So if you have traveled over there, you have ample opportunity to see masks in action. Masks are also displayed officially in processions and rituals.
Bali Wooden Mask – the Emperor
You will be amazed to know that sacred Bali masks must be made from crocodile wood, a tree that grows in cemeteries. This tree grows in a certain style that produces knots. The mask makers do not cut down the whole tree but when the tree produces a knot, the mask maker asks the spirit of the tree to be allowed to take the knot for a mask. In the process of making the mask, the most difficult part of the carving is removing the back, which usually takes a few days. Carving out the nose and getting around the knots can also be very time-consuming.
Lombok Dotted Mask from Bali
A plain natural wooden mask takes around five days to treat because it is protected with three layers of neutral shoe polish. On a painted mask, however, up to 80 coats are applied. This is really arduous work because the piece is held between the feet. For paint, calcified pig bone is used. It’s pulverized for 12 hours to make a powder, and then mixed with Chinese lacquer.
After going through all these tough process, the mask makers are confident every time that they are going to come up with a rare and beautiful mask. To get some of these beautiful creations you need not travel to Bali, relax and shop from the comfort of your home from Craft Montaz’s huge collection of Bali masks!
Pushpita is a freelance writer on world handicrafts and lifestyle. Pushpita holds a Masters in English literature and is a rich media professional.