Butha Ngabe Sari — Protector of the Temple Gate - Indonesia (No reserve price)

- English (primary description) — In Balinese temples, guardians stand at the threshold between the seen and the unseen. This beautiful sculpture captures that sacred tension — a figure carved to repel evil and invite balance.

Fashioned from Swietenia mahagoni (mahogany), the wood reserved for spiritual carvings, this guardian embodies the fierce yet benevolent energy of Bhairawa, protector of sanctuaries and rituals. The expressive face, with bulging eyes and open mouth, symbolizes vigilance; the raised arm and clenched fist mark readiness to defend the temple’s purity.

Created within the Mas school (Ubud region, circa 1950–1970), the piece reveals the atelier’s mastery of proportion and rhythm. The diagonal carving lines and ornamental detailing on the garment guide light across the surface, animating the guardian with quiet movement. The untouched patina, softly aged, preserves the aura of devotion that once surrounded it.

From a high end private Belgian collection, this sculpture was treasured not as décor but as a spiritual sentinel — a tangible echo of Bali’s living temple tradition.

Specifications
Dimensions: 33 × 11 × 12 cm
Weight: 2040 g
Condition: Very good — original patina, light age traces, monolithic block.
Wood: Swietenia mahagoni (mahogany)
Period: ca. 1950–1970
Origin: Private Belgian collection
Notable features: Expressive guardian face, raised arm gesture, diagonal atelier lines, premium mid century craftsmanship.
Scale Reference: A standard business card (85 × 55 mm) is shown in one of the photos as an international size reference.

Premium Packaging
Professional shipping within the European Union only. This artwork will be packed using a protective double-box system with bubble wrap and shock-absorbing packing material. Due to customs requirements, import regulations and the wooden nature of the object, shipping is restricted to destinations within the European Union. Shipping costs include professional packaging, handling and tracking

Utama Art Indonesia — where Indonesian craftsmanship and heritage come together. Explore the full curated collection in this auction.

- Nederlands (samenvatting) — Dit mid‑century Raksasa‑beeld uit de Mas‑school toont een krachtige tempelwachter, gesneden uit mahonie en bedoeld om spirituele harmonie te bewaken. Het expressieve gelaat, de opgeheven arm en de diagonale snijlijnen verraden de hand van een meester uit Ubud (ca. 1950–1970). De originele patina en monolithische vorm benadrukken de atelierkwaliteit en de spirituele functie van het stuk. Afkomstig uit een Belgische privécollectie en geleverd met premium dubbele‑doos verpakking.

— Français (résumé) — Cette sculpture mid‑century de l’école de Mas représente un gardien Raksasa, protecteur des temples balinais, sculpté dans l’acajou. Son visage expressif, son bras levé et les lignes diagonales révèlent le travail d’un maître d’Ubud (vers 1950–1970). La patine d’origine et la forme monolithique soulignent sa qualité d’atelier et sa fonction spirituelle. Issue d’une collection privée belge, la pièce est livrée dans un emballage premium à double boîte.