Antique Balinese Singa - Temple Winged Lion - 13" - Carved Polychrome Wood For Sale

From Bali, Indonesia, circa 1900-1930, this is a hand carved singa (winged lion), 13 inches tall, with bulging eyes, a ferocious expression, fierce fangs and sharp claws, and wings like the cosmic creature Garuda of Hindu and Buddhist mythology.The singa's role in Balinese spiritual life is as an opponent of evil and a guardian of temples and homes. In Bali, a singa often is used as a plinth for a temple pillar, holding up the roof structure, and on the back of the singa offered here, the squarish, carved out and unpainted space is where a pillar would have stood.This singa was carved in great detail from one piece of wood. Originally, it had a separately carved tail which is now lost, and the square slot where it was attached can be seen at the lower back of the statue.CONDITION: As shown in my photos, there are chips, cracks and scrapes to the wood and the paint. The tips of both wings are damaged.It's heavy and it sits firmly, without rocking.MEASURES: 7.5" wide x 8.5" deep x 13" high
Weighs 5.5 lbs.