Balinese Pita Maha Art Deco sculptures are highly collectable
The Pita Maha arts society, founded in Ubud, Bali, in 1936, marked a transformative era in Balinese art history. Influential maestros like Rudolf Bonnet, Walter Spies, Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, and Tjokorda Gde Raka Sukawati, among others, reshaped artistic paradigms. They shifted the focus from classical depictions rooted in shadow puppets, mythology, and religion to embrace more contemporary and secular themes.
 
The life stories of the maestros from the Pita Maha organization, such as I Nyoman Ngendon, Ida Bagus Made Poleng, and Ida Bagus Made Nadera, remain an inspiration despite being less familiar to many. Their influence, however, is ingrained in remarkable artworks like this carving, encapsulating the essence of Bali's cultural heritage.