Wood statuette, 'Barong, the Hero'

Hiding his benevolent nature behind a fierce expression, Barong is perhaps the most popular and beloved character in Balinese culture. Agung Mayun depicts him on an albesia wood egg. Bali's Calonarang dance tells the story of Rangda, mother of Erlangga who ruled Bali in the 10th century. Rangda was condemned for practicing black magic. After she was widowed, she summoned all the evil spirits in the jungle to come after Erlangga. Her black magic was so strong that Erlangga asked for the help of Barong and, with his good magic, Rangda was defeated. Mayun displays the egg on a stand of acacia wood.