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Two Faces of Rangda: Vibrant and Vintage-Inspired Balinese Masks

Writer: Adi Febra
Adi Febra
7 days ago
4 min read

Some works of art catch our attention through their colors. Others draw us in through the character of their finish. With our Balinese Rangda masks, you can discover both.


At Wayan’s Shop Ubud, we offer two different finishes of Rangda masks: vibrant and vintage-inspired. Each has its own visual character, yet both begin with the same tradition of wood carving and the hands of local Balinese artisans.


If you are curious about how these two finishes differ, let us take you through the process behind each one.


A Traditional Mask, Two Different Finishes on Our Balinese Rangda Masks


Rangda is a familiar figure in Balinese culture, often recognized by her expressive face, prominent fangs, and striking appearance. As a wooden art piece, a Rangda mask brings together carving, painting, and the artistic interpretation of the people who make it.

In our collection, the difference between the two styles is not the subject itself, but how the finished wood is presented.


Vibrant Finish: Colorful and Expressive


Large vibrant Balinese Rangda wooden mask with colorful hand-painted details, handcrafted by local artisans in Bali.
A large Balinese Rangda wooden mask featuring a vibrant finish, expressive carving, and colorful details, handcrafted by local Balinese artisans at Wayan’s Shop Ubud.

Our vibrant-finish Rangda masks feature vivid colors and expressive painted details. The colors bring attention to the carved features, allowing the character of the mask to stand out.


Small colorful Balinese Rangda wooden mask with expressive carved features and vibrant painted finish.
A small Balinese Rangda wooden mask with a vibrant finish, featuring colorful details and expressive hand-carved features by local Balinese artisans at Wayan’s Shop Ubud.

Look closely at the details, and you will see how the carving and painting work together. The finished piece reflects the skill of the artisans who shape the wood and bring the design to life.


This style is a wonderful choice for those who enjoy colorful Balinese art and want a distinctive wooden mask for their collection or interior display.


Classic Finish: A Vintage-Inspired Appearance


Large Balinese Rangda wooden mask with a vintage-inspired aged finish and detailed traditional carving.
A large Balinese Rangda wooden mask with a vintage-inspired finish, featuring detailed carving and an intentionally aged appearance, handcrafted by local Balinese artisans at Wayan’s Shop Ubud.

The second style has a different character. Our classic, vintage-inspired Rangda masks are given a special finish to create an older, more time-worn appearance.


Small vintage-inspired Balinese Rangda wooden mask with an aged appearance and intricate hand-carved details.
A small Balinese Rangda wooden mask with a vintage-inspired finish, featuring intricate carving and a classic aged appearance, handcrafted by local Balinese artisans at Wayan’s Shop Ubud.

This aged look is created intentionally by an artisan who works specifically on the finishing process. It gives the mask a different visual character, with a more subdued and classic appearance.


Although the finish is designed to look old, these are newly finished wooden art pieces, not antique masks. The vintage-inspired appearance is part of the craftsmanship itself. For collectors and interior enthusiasts who appreciate traditional objects with an aged appearance, this finish offers another way to enjoy the character of Rangda.


The Wood Behind Our Rangda Masks


The character of a wooden mask begins with the material itself. At Wayan’s Shop Ubud, we work with several types of wood for our Rangda masks, including crocodile wood, also known as Indian prickly ash, acacia, waru, and suar.


Crocodile wood and acacia are the most commonly used woods in our Rangda mask collection. Each piece of wood has its own natural characteristics, providing the foundation for the carving and finishing process. From the initial shaping of the wood to the final painted details, the material and the artisans’ skills come together to create each mask.


Made by Balinese Artisans


Both finishes are made through a collaborative process involving local Balinese artisans.

Two wood carvers work on shaping the wooden masks, followed by an artisan who sands the wood to prepare its surface. A painter then adds the colors and details that complete the design.


For the vintage-inspired finish, an additional artisan works on creating the aged appearance. This extra step gives the classic masks their distinctive look. Each person contributes a different skill, from the initial carving to the final details. Together, their work brings the finished Rangda masks to life.


Small and Large Sizes Available


Our Rangda masks are available in two sizes: small and large. Whether you prefer a smaller piece for a shelf or a larger mask as a focal point in your interior, both finishes offer different ways to enjoy this traditional Balinese art.


The vibrant and vintage-inspired styles are both available in our collection, with small and large sizes ready at our shop.


Find Your Favorite Rangda Mask at Wayan’s Shop Ubud


Which finish speaks to you more?

Perhaps you are drawn to the vivid colors and expressive details of the vibrant masks. Or perhaps you prefer the classic character of the vintage-inspired finish. Both styles are handcrafted by Balinese artisans and available in small and large sizes.


Our family shop has been part of Ubud since 1998, sharing traditional Indonesian handicrafts and wooden art with visitors and collectors from around the world.


If you are interested in purchasing one of these Rangda masks, we warmly invite you to contact us before placing an order or planning your visit. As we also sell our collections directly from our physical shop, product availability may change. Please get in touch with us to confirm the availability of your preferred style and size.


You are always welcome to visit Wayan’s Shop Ubud and explore our collection in person.


Discover more from Wayan’s Shop Ubud:

We look forward to welcoming you to our shop and helping you discover a Rangda mask that catches your eye.

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Jl. Raya Campuhan, Ubud, Kec. Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

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