Links and Books
Big thanks to all providing me information about Balinese woodcarvings. There aren't so much sites around dedicated to this specialized field and there is very few literature available. Maybe following links and literature will help you find additional information.
This list is at it's very beginning. You can suggest more interesting sites and books, just send me an email.
Links
https://www.houtsnijkunstbali.nl
This website is very worth seeing, with lots of information on details and background. And of course there are also some very nice carvings to see.
https://www.art-from-bali.com
This site shows many Pita Maha / Art Deco woodcarvings. By now I haven't found a site quite as similar. You will also find portraits of wood carvers there, what makes it more special.
https://artdecobali.blog/
Mr. Sipke van de Peppel shows some high grade Balinese Art Deco woodcarvings and graphics art. I really like the detailed descriptions he dedicated each of his collectibles, you will also get a lot of historical background. Go and check it out!
https://www.bart-laurens.nl/houtsnijwerk/5-2-balinese-houtsnijwerken/
Bart is from the Netherlands. He has an incredibly large collection of wood carvings. He lives in a museum, so to speak. You can read some interesting stories on his website and see comparisons of different carvings.
https://xanido.de
This webshop from Germany belongs to Mona, who has a very close, personal connection to Indonesia. Furthermore, she is simply a wonderful and very pleasant personality. Her father collected the most beautiful ebony carvings many decades ago. Lovers of these things should therefore seek contact.
Books
"Art Fallen From Heaven: Modern Balinese Sculpture"
by Koos van Brakel, ISBN 978-9460220517
If you enjoy Balinese Art Deco and Pita Maha work, you will find an excellent overview here. For anyone interested in Balinese wood carvings this book is an absolute must buy!
"Balinese Masks - Spirits of an Ancient Dream"
by Judy Slattum and Paul Schraub, ISBN 0-7946-0075-1
A great guide to the religious dances of Bali, their origins and significance, and especially the masks and their motifs. Although only published in 2003, the book is currently only available in antiquarian bookstores.
"Ramayana"
The Ramayana describes in particular the story about Prince Rama and his later wife Sita, who was kidnapped by King Ravana and finally rescued by Rama and his army. The journey ends in a tremendously epic battle that shakes the world. The Ramayana is a story of unconditional love, romance, loyalty and heroism. For myself, this epic has an almost fairy-tale character in its narrative and fantastic stories. To read it is absolutely recommendable.
"Mahabharata"
The Mahabharata tells of the Kauravas and the Pandavas, two royal families who are in competition and battle with each other. The stories in it tell of heroism, honor, but also great cruelty and relentless rivalry. In addition, the Mahabharata also tells about spiritual foundations of Hinduism, social significance and way of life of the described characters, as well as state and army leadership. A truly epic work!
Both the Mahabharata and the Ramyana are also available in abridged versions, depending on the translation. For a basic understanding of Hinduism, which in turn is important for understanding traditional Balinese carvings, both works should definitely be read.
"Bhagavad Gita"
Hindu epic, more info coming soon.
"Love And Death In Bali" (original German title: "Tod und Liebe auf Bali")
by Vickie Baum
This is a novel written in 1930s by German author Vickie Baum. She lived in Bali several months and wrote a fictional story based on Bali's culture in times of colonization by the Dutch. Some people say this novel is the best literary description of how Balinese culture transformed during colonization.