wood figurine

Neck arched in a menacing pose, the dragon takes form in an suar wood carving by Seji Taram. He skillfully represents each fang and claw, detailing the intricate reptilian scales. Dragons are a recurrent theme in Balinese art, revered for their divinity.

Twin dragons face off, displaying their mighty ferocity. Sculpting warm suar wood, Seji Taram depicts them in exquisite detail. Fierce spikes align along their spines as they bare sharp fangs. In Balinese culture, the dragon symbolizes safety, protection, shelter and clothing.

Masterfully carving Balinese suar wood, Seji Taram recalls the legend of the dragon, Baru Klinthing. He was born to a concubine of Ki Ageng Mangir II, a rebel, who would never accept a dragon as his son unless the creature could wrap its entire body around Mount Merapi. To accomplish this, Baru Klinthing had to use his tongue to reach his tail. The angry father cut off the dragon's tongue, which became a powerful spear and source of power.

Expertly carving rain tree wood, skilled Thai artisans capture an elephant's majestic power and keen intelligence in a gift sculpture presented by Amporn. They give the piece a polished finish and add ivorywood tusks.

Jaifah Aksornsri invokes the presence of Huang, the mythological bird of east Asia that reigns over all other birds. Originally there was a male version too, Feng which later was fused with Huang and therefore became known as Fenghuang, a female entity to be paired with the Chinese dragon. Together they augur a blissful marriage as they represent husband and wife. Fenghuang is known in the West as the Chinese phoenix and she symbolizes the concept of yin and yang, as well as high virtue and grace. Fenghuang's beauty is captured with magnificent artistry in this hand-carved rain tree wood sculpture. Includes an iron stand.

The legend of the dragon and the pearl inspires Seji Taram as he carves a sculpture of powerful beauty. Kinabalu the dragon guarded a grand pearl that the Chinese Emperor desired. He sent Wee Ping and Wee San to get the pearl to retrieve it, and Wee San plotted a way to trick the dragon and steal the pearl by waiting until Kinabalu went out for food. Then the brothers would fly to the top of the mountain on a kite, take the pearl and replace it with a fake. However, Kinabalu wasn't fooled, and he went after the brothers, who were now on their ship. As the dragon approached, Wee San ordered the dragon be shot with the cannon and Kinabalu, thinking the cannon ball was his precious pearl, swallowed it and died. Wee Ping lied and said it had been him who had come up with the plan, and that it was he, not his brother, who managed to steal it from the dragon. Wee San wanted no more trouble over the silly pearl, so he said nothing and left China. Eventually he became the happy ruler of the Brunei. Wee Ping was not so lucky, for his lying brought him nothing but sadness.

Powerful and beautiful, Naga the dragon and Garuda the eagle symbolize vigorous spirits to the Balinese people. Seji Taram transforms suar wood into an exquisitely detailed panel as he carves it by hand with absolute artistic mastery. According to one of the many Balinese Hindu-Buddhist customs, the dragon represents the relationship between kings and priests, and effigies of the mystical creature are included for their cremation, for it is believed Naga will guide their soul so they may find their way to the next world.

Decorated with diamonds of ornately embossed aluminum, an owo (snake) gives shape to an extraordinary staff. Eva Asantewa Amakye carves the piece by hand of seasoned sese wood.

Many African societies regard a person with a staff with respect and dignity. Usually associated with age, an elderly person using a staff is believed to have accumulated vast knowledge and wisdom through the years. Traditionally, the design on a staff tells the societal status and political inclination of the person using it.