Birds are a popular motif in Balinese woodcarving. This bird is depicted with an egg in its beak. The stylized posture and flowing lines are reminiscent of the international Art Deco style. Nowadays, there is a debate among experts in Balinese woodcarving whether one can still speak of Balinese ‘art deco statues’. Some prefer to use the term ‘modern Balinese woodcarving’, because the stylized form language was already present in traditional arts and crafts in Bali. I partly agree with this, but with a statue like this bird, I think you cannot deny that the stylized design has been influenced by Western Art Deco sculptures.

Balinese wood carving of a bird with an egg in its beak, made around 1930-1940, unsigned, height: 39 cm