Posted 9 years ago
lovewornst…
(1 item)
saved it 20 years ago from a garage sale in Zaandam in the Netherlands for a few guilders. Horrible place to end up. Being Dutch/Indonesian by birth, a bit of superstition is always lurking in my mind. I'm sure it didn't want to end up in a cold and wet garage and I definitely had no business in that area.
Worn and having missing parts it still breathes this "Are you sure you want to come in?" And true , never had burglars in our house...
Always wondered where it originated from. With the Dutch occupying Indonesia for a few centuries I always expected it to be from there. But according to an Indonesian lady it didn't feel like it, because the style is elaborate but not fine enough. She expected it more coming from the Laos, Thai or Cambodian region.
It's in a terrible shape, heavy cracks in the body, one in the left wing, missing the tail feathers and paint flaking.
The basepaint looks like the old mercury bright purple primer paint.
The top coat looks this typical asian black, deep dark and dull.
I expect it to be have been some kind of guard. Which it is now as well.
So could anyone help me out with this one?
Where does it come from?
Cheers,
Peter
Before I read your description, my gut reaction was that it felt Balinese. I can't find an exact match, though. After reading your description, it would seem appropriate to check the Pacific Islands again...
I would place it in Indonesia, too. Your Indonesian friend doesn't think the details fine enough, but you often lose finesse the larger the scale of an item.
Scaly/feathery points on the head are just as likely Javanese as Thai/ Cambodian/ Laotian http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/2504
... combined with wing feathers, fangs, etc. - those are commonly enough all found together in supernatural Javanese beings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antaboga
As for the bug-eyed look, google for images of 'Javanese demon'
I would place it in Indonesia, too. Your Indonesian friend doesn't think the details fine enough, but you often lose finesse the larger the scale of an item.
Scaly/feathery points on the head are just as likely Javanese as Thai/ Cambodian/ Laotian http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/2504
... combined with wing feathers, fangs, etc. - those are commonly enough all found together in supernatural Javanese beings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antaboga
As for the bug-eyed look, google for images of 'Javanese demon'
I don't think your sculpture is Garuda, but the scaly, blue one pictured here shares a lot of elements with your beast: http://www.goarchi.com/archo/mag/garuda.html
i think that from bali
do you have an email address?