Weiner Mihályné szerk.: Az Iparművészeti Múzeum Évkönyvei 9. (Budapest, 1966)

HOPP FERENC MÚZEUM — MUSÉE FERENC HOPP - Kovács, György: A Balinese Painted Calendar

a calendar painting of this kind. The palelintangan shows the astrologically presumed lucky or unlucky effect exerted on humans born on certain days by the days of a time unit specified in the calendar; according to the Hindoo (Jawanese) week of seven days (saptawara) and the Balinese week of five days (pantjawara), it is divided into 35 partitions, as well as into the pictures of divinities in the uppermost row and of the demons in the lowest one, which makes all in all 49 separate units. In some of the partitions there are symbols, while others present phases of symbolic events. The picture published in the quoted article has no ornamental border and even the partitions are separated merely by a plain dark line ; on the other hand, the pictures are finely wrought in their details. The letters of the inscriptions to be seen on the partitions produce a similar effect, but are located without any ornamental border. The divinities, demons, humans, animals and plants are reproduced in their full figure. Unfortunately the article fails to contain any reference on colouration. Purchased in 1953, the Balinese palelintangan of our museum is in many respects dissimilar to the above described piece. It is inferior both in height (103—105 cm) and in breadth (148—154 cm). Its basic material is canvas, with the entire calendar picture painted in bright water colours and lacquered. It is in fairly good condition, with some wears here and there, and colour spots on the left-hand side at the top and, to a smaller extent, at the bottom. In accordance with the described piece it is divided into 49 partitions forming seven vertical and as many horizontal rows which are enframed at the top and on either side by a double border of bright colours ; the lowest row ends without a border. Each partition is marked off by ornamental painting. The external stripe of the upper border is composed of triangles painted in two different ways and alternating rhythmically with one another; the triangles are either of blue-green-ochre-red, or blue-yellow colours, of which the blue is at the bottom. The internal stripe of the upper frame is composed of white-ochre-red squares and ochre-blue triangles. The different partitions are also marked off by these patterns. The external edge of the right- and left-hand (vertical) border is striped in blue-pale blue-white-red-ochre-white-dark green-light green-yellow colours ; in both sides this pattern is decorated at three points, i. e. at the first, the 3rd and 4th, and the 6th and 7th rows, with floral motifs, most of which are of blue-white-ochre-red colour. At the 3rd and 4th rows the vertical stripes are alternately white and red. The decoration that separates the different partitions from each other is composed of triangles and squares painted with the above specified colours. Sited at the contact points of the partition corners, the latter further emphasize the concentrated character of the whole calendar painting already suggested by the border. In addition to the proper figures, the partitions contain space-filling motifs too, such as stylized clouds, mountains, etc., all in bright colours. The inscriptions are bordered ochre and red. The letters of the inscriptions are roughly sketched. In general, the pictures and symbols represented in the partitions are the same as those to be seen in the quoted publication; however, their finish is less detailed and rather schematic, and there are still other differences.