Mas

Just south of Ubud you will find the small village Mas, which is the place to go for shopping of wood carvings and other good quality works made of wood, like furniture. Even if Mas means gold, it is basically woodcarving that has brought fame to this place. Traditionally all art and craftwork on Bali has been done for religious reasons. The artists name was not considered to be important, and any word for "art" did not exist in the old Balinese language. Decorations of temples and other art was a natural part of daily life, something everyone was doing, and was therefore not looked upon as something extraordinary.

Today this has changed, and many Balinese artists dream about getting rich and famous. The best woodcarvers on Bali can be found in Mas, often surrounded by young students who wants to learn how to become a master. The most famous artist from this village was Ida Bagus Tilem, and his works can be seen in a gallery here. The specialty of the place is topeng-masks which is used during dance performances, but the variety of wood crafts are significant. You can order for example furniture after your own taste which then will be sent to your home when completed. The best bargains can be done in the back alleys, the prices in the shops along the main road is usually higher.