Because Balinese egg carvers typically carved cassowary eggs, this ostrich egg—not their normal medium—was likely commissioned as a souvenir for the Euro-American tourist market. The artisan took inspiration for its intricate design from the work of modern Balinese artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad (1862–1978), whose expressive narrative style can be seen across Bali in paintings, drawings, and temple carvings. The story delicately carved is from the Kakawin Sutasoma, a long narrative poem written in Old Javanese by Mpu Tantular in the 14th century.
Ostrich egg
5 3/4 in. (14.61 cm)
Diam.: 4 7/8 in.
Gift of Arthur L. Loveless
62.98
Now on view at the
Asian Art Museum
Resources
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view beginning Dec. 10, 2021].
Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.
