Lot 10: Ida Bagus Made Tibah (Batuan, 1916-1968)

The Story of a Priest Who Pretended to be a Demon Wash technique on paper, pencil and black ink framing lines, framed and glazed. 28 x 37.5 cm. On the left two Brahmana priests (recognisable by their hair-knots) are competing for a Brahmana woman. Behind these figures a commoner is holding a bottle. On the right a fire is being prepared. The story is part of the legend Aji Darma: A demon felt offended by a priest. The demon took the form of a priest, deceived his wife and went to bed with her. When she woke up, she found herself lying between two identical men and she couldn't tell the difference between them. She went for help to the King, who offered a reward to anyone who could solve the problem. A magic bird came to a commoner and told him what to do. In order to test who is the real priest, the court official, the demang, asks for a bottle, and challenges the two identical men to enter it. Only the demon can do so, and as soon as he is tricked into the bottle, the bottle is sealed and cast into the fire. The artist was a member of the Pita Maha artists' association. Inscribed with the artist's name and with the title on the reverse. See also the List of Exhibitions in this catalogue.