Drum player (kendang), circa 1930–1960, 33 cm, private collection To acquire or not to acquire? This is the question the collector must regularly confront. But what decides him to answer yes or no? For example, this drummer he spotted on an online sales platform—should he adopt it? One might assume the matter is simple enough. A question of taste above all, framed by a few elementary practical considerations: is this drummer well-made? Does the collector truly like it? As it

A major goddess Sarasvati is one of the three principal goddesses of the Tridevi (the supreme trinity in its feminine form), alongside Lakshmi and Parvati. She is associated with the creator god Brahma, either as his creation or as his consort. As the goddess of knowledge and the arts—particularly music—tradition credits her with the invention of Sanskrit. Her mount is a white goose or a swan. Certain representations influenced by Indian iconography depict her with four arms,

Pregnant Woman, mid-20th century, 13 cm, private collection This small figure bears no inscription, but the fairly strong similarities it shows with another piece in my collection signed by I Wayan Gejir could justify an attribution to that carver. Like the sleeper discussed here , it is a variation on the motif of the sleeping figure created by Ida Bagus Njana in 1956. Beyond the plump appearance characteristic of this style of full, rounded forms, one finds the attitude of

A Makara, before 1971, 30 × 19 × 13 cm, private collection The sculpture depicts a makara, a motif found in numerous representations from India to Southeast Asia, including China. The makara is a mythical creature associated with the aquatic realm. Its features draw from those of the elephant, the crocodile, and the dolphin. Endowed with a protective function, its image is often placed on the thresholds of palaces or temples, such as at Borobudur, as shown in the picture belo

Ganesha by I Ketut Tulak, second half of the 20th century, 26.5 cm, private collection This small figure of a dancing Ganesha is signed by I Ketut Tulak. Although Tulak is generally recognized as a master, little information about him is available in French or English. Born in 1927, he appears to have been active until the early 21st century. His work demonstrates a keen sense of line and a remarkable ability to vary styles in the depiction of traditional themes, moving fluid

Shiva by I Ketut Sadra, second half of the 20th century, 36 cm The figure, richly adorned and wearing a crown, is seated on a lotus-shaped throne. Its front hands perform a mudra (a codified gesture endowed with ritual or symbolic value), while its two rear hands hold a lotus, a symbol of purity and spiritual elevation, and a fly-whisk, a symbol of royalty. The fineness of the features and the hair flowing slightly behind the shoulders might suggest a female figure. However,