Wood carvings
Ubud – Ida Bagus
A world famous wood carving gallery near Ubud is the Ida Bagus Marka with a gallery in Kemenuh. It is set up for tours and taxi drivers make it one of their stops but it really is worth a look.
The quality of the carvings is exceptional and they are quite expensive but there is a lot of room for bargaining.
Many of these pieces are by master craftsmen and would be great centerpieces for hotel lobbies, businesses, or in the home.
There is no obligation to buy and no sales pressure like you get in the low class places so it’s worth stopping by for an hour and having a look.
The village of Mas also has many other shops as well with loads of beautiful carvings and furniture.
Take your time if you choose to buy something as the price is flexible. Put a little bit of planning into it. I still have a 3 meter Komodo dragon in the garage I am trying to figure out what to do with.
Ida Bagus wood carvings
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
I had purchased some pieces from Ida Bagus Marka when I was in Bali years ago, and would like to look through their website to maybe purchase more. When I google http://www.markagallery.co.id, there is no such site. Would there be a current site available?
Thank you for you help,
Kara Oculato
Hi Kara,
I don’t have any updated website info for the Ida Bagus gallery…sorry.
Did you buy your other pieces on line or in person?
I feel that it is always best to buy the pieces in person so you can look them over carefully…thus, a trip to Bali might be in order!
Have fun,
dp
Hello, me and my father bought manny years ago beautifull pieces from mister Marka also beatifull big masks. the problem i have is that somebody felt against the big mask and it felt on the floor and is damaged. For the insurance i need a price of a simular mask dark ebony and very full carvings on the head. does anybody has an idea around what price it was the mask is 50cm high and 40 wide. Thank you vera van impe Erpe-Mere Belgium.
Hello Vera,
It is difficult to estimate the value of carved wooden masks because the value really depends on how much a buyer wants that particular mask.
In general wood carvings are relatively inexpensive in Bali. The size is not a big factor.
Some specially made tourist masks fetch a high dollar when marketed through high end resorts.
Masks that are considered to be “valuable” to collectors are usually traditional masks that were actually used by the tribe where they were found such as the Asmat in Papua Barat.
I would guess that most masks carved in Bali could be purchased for less than 50-100 dollars. If they are made from the softer woods they could be purchased for less than 10 dollars.
A million Indonesian rupiah is about 100 USD. Google for current quote.
cheers
dp