Embracing Couple by I Wayan Purne (incised signature on the underside), mid-1950s to mid-1980s, 23.5 x 21 x 18 cm I Wayan Purne (whose name is sometimes spelled "Purna") is among the masters who, in the second half of the 20th century, adopted the rounded forms style created by Ida Bagus Njana in the mid-1950s. A skilled and particularly prolific sculptor, he is said to be highly regarded by Asian collectors. His pieces are generally signed under the base. Some of his finest

Seated young man, pre-1954, bronze, 22.5 cm. Left: Dewi Uma giving birth to Batara Kala by I Made Polih . Right: Embracing couple by I Wayan Purne. Small bronze figures are occasionally found that strongly resemble certain Balinese wood carvings from the 1930s to the 1950s. The motifs are among those frequently encountered in modern Balinese sculpture: men or women at rest, Janger dancers, priests performing rituals, male or female busts... In many cases, however, these are n

A Balinese couple: young woman by I Wayan Gog, 30 cm; young man by I Made Pait, 36,5 cm, 1930s–1940s, private collection Balinese busts have been among the most cherished souvenirs for visitors to the island since the 1930s. And it is undeniably in the first half of the 20th century that the finest pieces were produced—whether busts of women, men, young or old, or janger (or djanger) dancer busts with their wide headdresses decorated with floral motifs. Figures of young adult