{"id":5559,"date":"2026-10-05T11:45:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T11:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/?p=5559"},"modified":"2026-10-05T11:45:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T11:45:21","slug":"balinese-wood-carving-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/balinese-wood-carving-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Balinese Wood Carving Care: Humidity, Cleaning and Placement Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"aob-custom-article\">\n\n<div class=\"definition-box\">\n  <p>Balinese wood carving care means holding the room steady near 40 to 60 percent relative humidity, keeping the piece out of direct sun and away from heat, dusting it with a dry soft cloth, waxing handled surfaces about once a year, and checking underneath monthly for fine sawdust. This guide gives the source behind each number, then explains what the Arts of Bali Fumigation Declaration and Certificate of Authenticity say, and where each one stops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"highlight-inline\">\n  <p><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n  <ul class=\"quality-list\">\n    <li>The Western Australian Museum&#8217;s wood manual sets 40 to 60 percent relative humidity and 15 to 25 \u00b0C, with daily swings under 5 percent and 4 \u00b0C.<\/li>\n    <li>The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) says light damage to organic materials is cumulative and irreversible, so keep wood out of direct sun and away from heaters and vents.<\/li>\n    <li>Denpasar&#8217;s average humidity runs from 50 percent in July to 84 percent in February, per Wikipedia, so outdoor Bali air is inside the museum range only in July and August.<\/li>\n    <li>CCI says to wax no more than once a year and only on handled surfaces, not to wet-clean unfinished wood, and to treat sawdust under a piece as a possible sign of insects.<\/li>\n    <li>The Fumigation Declaration is Arts of Bali&#8217;s own statement, not a government phytosanitary certificate. A Certificate of Authenticity is issued for paintings on customer request.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Most damage to a carving comes from the room, not from handling. Balinese wood carving care is mostly about air, light and heat, and only a little about cleaning. A piece finished in humid Bali can land in a dry, heated home, and wood answers a change in air by moving.<\/p>\n\n<p>Each figure names its source, and our own judgement is labeled as ours. Arts of Bali is a gallery in Seminyak, not a conservation laboratory, so ask a conservator about a valuable or damaged piece.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"img-block portrait\">\n  <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/janger-2.webp\" alt=\"Balinese wood carving care example: hand-carved Janger half-body dancer, 20 cm, from the Arts of Bali gallery\" title=\"Janger half-body wood carving, 20 cm, Arts of Bali\" width=\"1444\" height=\"2560\" loading=\"eager\">\n  <div class=\"img-meta\">\n    <p class=\"caption\">A Janger half-body carving, about 20 cm tall, in the Arts of Bali gallery. Small figures like this get moved and handled most, so they need the most careful Balinese wood carving care. <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/galerie\/janger-demi-figurine-ii-sculpture-sur-bois\/\" title=\"Janger Half Body II Wood Craft, product page\">View this carving &amp; price<\/a><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<span class=\"section-label\">Humidity<\/span>\n<h2 class=\"section-h2\">Balinese Wood Carving Care: Humidity and Temperature<\/h2>\n\n<p>Wood takes up and gives off moisture with the surrounding air, so wood carving humidity matters more than any cleaning product. The <a href=\"https:\/\/manual.museum.wa.gov.au\/conservation-and-care-collections\/wood\/summary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Western Australian Museum&#8217;s wood manual<\/a> gives 40 to 60 percent relative humidity and 15 to 25 \u00b0C, and asks that humidity not move by more than 5 percent, nor temperature by more than 4 \u00b0C, in any 24 hours. It names hot, dry conditions as a cause of shrinkage and cracking, and excess moisture as a cause of swelling and warping.<\/p>\n\n<p>CCI&#8217;s page on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/conservation-institute\/services\/agents-deterioration\/humidity.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">incorrect relative humidity<\/a> is written for museum collections in general, but its notes on wood assemblies apply here. It says attached or inlaid metal, horn or shell spanning more than 1 cm across the grain may delaminate or buckle, and it lists fretwork among the parts most sensitive to humidity swings. It also says an exactly correct value may not exist, and the aim is the range that causes the least damage, so a steady room beats a precise number.<\/p>\n\n<p>Now compare Bali. The climate table on <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Denpasar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wikipedia&#8217;s Denpasar entry<\/a> lists average relative humidity from 50 percent in July and 58 percent in August up to 84 percent in February, and 71 percent across the year. Only July and August fall inside the museum range. That is outdoor air, and an air-conditioned room is another climate again. Our reading, not a source claim: a carving finished in Bali&#8217;s air faces its biggest change when it moves to a dry, heated room in a cold season.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"table-wrap comparison-table\">\n<table>\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th>Factor<\/th>\n      <th>Target or rule<\/th>\n      <th>What goes wrong<\/th>\n      <th>Source<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr><td>Relative humidity<\/td><td>40 to 60 percent<\/td><td>Excess moisture swells and warps wood<\/td><td>WA Museum<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Daily swing<\/td><td>Under 5 percent humidity and 4 \u00b0C in 24 hours<\/td><td>Swings stress attached parts and fine assemblies<\/td><td>WA Museum, CCI<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Temperature<\/td><td>15 to 25 \u00b0C<\/td><td>Hot, dry conditions shrink and crack wood<\/td><td>WA Museum<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Light<\/td><td>No direct sunlight<\/td><td>Damage is cumulative and irreversible<\/td><td>CCI, WA Museum<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Heat sources<\/td><td>Not beside fireplaces, baseboard heaters or over heat vents<\/td><td>Uneven heating and drying (our reading)<\/td><td>CCI<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"table-note\">Sources: Western Australian Museum, &#8220;Wood&#8221; care manual; Canadian Conservation Institute, &#8220;Basic care&#8221; for wooden objects and &#8220;Agent of deterioration: incorrect relative humidity&#8221;; Wikipedia, Denpasar, whose humidity row cites FAO long-term averages (1961 to 1990). Both institutions write for museum collections, so read the numbers as a safe target, not a legal limit.<\/p>\n\n<p>Our own advice: put a small hygrometer near the piece, and keep it away from air-conditioner outlets, sunny windowsills, bathrooms and stoves, where the air changes fastest.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"section-label\">Placement<\/span>\n<h2 class=\"section-h2\">Where to Put a Wood Carving: Light, Heat and Handling<\/h2>\n\n<p>Placement is half of Balinese wood carving care. CCI calls light &#8220;a natural enemy of all organic materials&#8221; and says the damage is cumulative and irreversible, so it advises against direct sun and suggests blinds or curtains. The WA Museum manual says it in one line: never expose wooden objects to direct sunlight. An hour of low sun each afternoon adds up over years.<\/p>\n\n<p>CCI&#8217;s furniture advice on handling is to lift at the strongest points and lift rather than drag. Our version for carvings: hold the main body or the base, never an arm, horn, wing, crown or tail, because those are the thinnest parts and the first to snap.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"img-block portrait\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/beruang.webp\" alt=\"Hand-carved wooden grizzly bear catching a salmon on a natural bark base, shown for Balinese wood carving care placement\" title=\"Grizzly bear wood sculpture on a bark base, Arts of Bali\" width=\"819\" height=\"999\">\n  <div class=\"img-meta\">\n    <p class=\"caption\">A grizzly bear sculpture on a natural bark base in the Arts of Bali gallery. Textured bases and deep relief collect dust, so check them when you clean. <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/galerie\/original-river-bounty-grizzly-bear-wooden-sculpture\/\" title=\"Original River Bounty: Grizzly Bear Wooden Sculpture, product page\">View this sculpture &amp; price<\/a><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<span class=\"section-label\">Cleaning<\/span>\n<h2 class=\"section-h2\">How to Care for Wood Carvings: Dusting, Cleaning and Wax<\/h2>\n\n<p>The short answer on how to care for wood carvings: dust often, wet-clean never, wax rarely. Wood carving humidity and light do the rest.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"quality-list\">\n  <li><strong>Dust:<\/strong> use a dry soft cloth, and a soft brush for deep relief. CCI&#8217;s general furniture advice is to dust with a slightly dampened cloth, then buff with a dry, soft cloth, and it says unfinished wood should not be wet-cleaned. The finish on a carving is often unknown, so our advice is to keep water away.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Wax:<\/strong> CCI describes micro-crystalline wax as a scent- and colour-free paste wax that adds gloss to a finish and makes fingerprints easier to remove. Apply it only once a year and only to the surfaces that are handled. A thin coat and a soft buff are enough.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Skip commercial polishes:<\/strong> CCI notes that some furniture polishes leave residues that build up and can affect finishes. Our declaration lists a final wax finish, which is why we suggest wax over sprays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div class=\"img-block portrait\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/anjing-duduk.webp\" alt=\"Hand-carved seated dog figurine on a natural wood slab, a small wood carving that needs gentle dry dusting\" title=\"Seated dog wood figurine, Arts of Bali\" width=\"764\" height=\"961\">\n  <div class=\"img-meta\">\n    <p class=\"caption\">A seated dog figurine on a wood slab. Deep folds like these hold dust, which a soft brush lifts better than a cloth. <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/galerie\/original-faithful-watcher-seated-dog-wooden-figurine\/\" title=\"Original Faithful Watcher: Seated Dog Wooden Figurine, product page\">View this figurine &amp; price<\/a><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<span class=\"section-label\">Insects<\/span>\n<h2 class=\"section-h2\">Signs of Insects in a Wood Carving<\/h2>\n\n<p>CCI says sawdust-like material under a piece of wooden furniture could signal active insects, and advises isolating the object and consulting a conservator. The WA Museum manual tells collectors to check wooden objects for insect infestation or mould before adding them. Balinese wood carving care therefore includes a monthly look at the base, the back and the surface under the piece for fine powder or tiny holes.<\/p>\n\n<p>If you find any, move the piece away from other wood, photograph it, and ask before treating it. Message us with the photos and the date you received it. A treatment recorded at the workshop is a record of what was done before shipping, not a guarantee for the life of the carving.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"section-label\">Routine<\/span>\n<h2 class=\"section-h2\">A Simple Balinese Wood Carving Care Calendar<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"quality-list\">\n  <li><strong>Every week or two:<\/strong> dust with a dry soft cloth or brush.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Every month:<\/strong> check the hygrometer, then look under and behind the piece for fine sawdust.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Each season:<\/strong> recheck the spot, because the sun angle and the air conditioning or heating change.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Once a year:<\/strong> a thin coat of micro-crystalline wax on handled surfaces only, then a soft buff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<span class=\"section-label\">Documents<\/span>\n<h2 class=\"section-h2\">Fumigation Declaration and Certificate of Authenticity: What They Say<\/h2>\n\n<p>Balinese wood carving care also starts with knowing what you were given. Arts of Bali issues two documents of its own, and neither is a government certificate. Both are electronically generated PDFs with a unique reference number and a QR code that opens a private verification page on artsofbali.com. In the images below, the QR code and verification ID are blurred.<\/p>\n\n<p>The first is the Fumigation Declaration for handmade wooden handicraft products. In the sample shown, it lists four steps: manual carving and shaping, a natural drying period of 1 to 8 weeks, fumigation with a named product and its registration number, and a final wax finish. It then records the product name, a reference number and the date of issue, and describes itself as issued in good faith for official and export purposes.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"img-block portrait\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/arts-of-bali-fumigation-declaration-wooden-handicraft-example-treatment-blurred.webp\" alt=\"Arts of Bali Fumigation Declaration of handmade wooden handicraft products, sample for a Janger half-body carving\" title=\"Arts of Bali Fumigation Declaration, sample\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1413\">\n  <div class=\"img-meta\">\n    <p class=\"caption\">Sample Arts of Bali Fumigation Declaration, reference AOB-FD-2026-0002, issued for a Janger half-body carving. The QR code and verification ID are blurred. <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/galerie\/janger-demi-figurine-ii-sculpture-sur-bois\/\" title=\"Janger Half Body II Wood Craft, product page\">View the carving<\/a><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>What it is not matters as much. A phytosanitary certificate is a different document. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ippc.int\/static\/media\/files\/publication\/en\/2016\/01\/ISPM_12_2014_WithAppendix1_En_2015-04-21.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ISPM 12<\/a>, the international standard on these certificates, says they attest that plants, plant products or regulated articles meet the importing country&#8217;s requirements, and that only public officers authorized by the national plant protection organization may issue them. In Indonesia that role sits with the <a href=\"https:\/\/karantinaindonesia.go.id\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Badan Karantina Indonesia<\/a>. Whether your destination wants one for a wooden handicraft depends on the importing country, so check its rules and ask us before you order.<\/p>\n\n<p>A precaution of our own, not a finding from the sources above: treat a carving as a decorative object. Do not use carved bowls or spoons for food unless the seller confirms they are food-safe, wash your hands after handling, and keep small pieces away from children and pets who might mouth them.<\/p>\n\n<p>The second document is the Certificate of Authenticity, which Arts of Bali issues for paintings on customer request. The example below, for a 60 \u00d7 80 cm palette painting by the artist Upeksa, records a photo of the work, the title, the artist&#8217;s name, the medium (professional-grade paint on cotton canvas), the dimensions, the date of creation, a certificate number, a short special-care note, the artist&#8217;s signature and a date. It states that the signature is reproduced from the signed specimen on record with Arts of Bali, and that the artist keeps full control of the copyright and reproduction rights. Its care note, to avoid direct sunlight, high humidity and extreme temperatures and to clean gently with a dry soft cloth, matches the advice in this guide. To tell an original from a print before you ask for one, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/original-bali-painting-vs-print\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">original painting vs print guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"img-block portrait\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/arts-of-bali-certificate-of-authenticity-painting-example-e1791200574229.webp\" alt=\"Arts of Bali Certificate of Authenticity of original artwork for the Balinese Women Procession palette painting by Upeksa, 60 \u00d7 80 cm\" title=\"Arts of Bali Certificate of Authenticity, example\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1413\">\n  <div class=\"img-meta\">\n    <p class=\"caption\">Example Arts of Bali Certificate of Authenticity, number AOB-COA-2026-0002, for the 60 \u00d7 80 cm painting <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/galerie\/balinese-women-procession-palette-painting\/\" title=\"Balinese Women Procession Palette Painting, product page\">Balinese Women Procession Palette Painting<\/a> by Upeksa. The QR code and verification ID are blurred.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"table-wrap comparison-table\">\n<table>\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th>Document<\/th>\n      <th>Covers<\/th>\n      <th>Issued by<\/th>\n      <th>It tells you<\/th>\n      <th>It does not tell you<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr><td>Fumigation Declaration<\/td><td>Handmade wooden handicrafts<\/td><td>Arts of Bali, as a self-declaration<\/td><td>The four processing steps, product name, reference number and date<\/td><td>Government approval, a lab result, or protection for the life of the piece<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Certificat d'authenticit\u00e9<\/td><td>Paintings, on customer request<\/td><td>Arts de Bali<\/td><td>Title, artist, medium, size, creation date, certificate number and care note<\/td><td>An appraisal, a value, or any transfer of the artist&#8217;s copyright<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><td>Phytosanitary certificate<\/td><td>Plant products, when the importing country requires it<\/td><td>The national plant protection organization<\/td><td>That the consignment meets the importing country&#8217;s plant-health requirements<\/td><td>Anything about authenticity or carving quality<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"table-note\">Sources: the two sample Arts of Bali documents above, and ISPM 12 (IPPC) for the phytosanitary row. Rules differ by country, so confirm with the importing country&#8217;s plant-health authority.<\/p>\n\n<p>Related reading: <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/how-to-ship-art-from-bali\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shipping art from Bali<\/a>, le <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/authentic-arts-of-bali-gallery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">authenticity page<\/a>, le <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/wood-carving-bali\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bali wood carving guide<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/bali-wood-carving-price\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bali wood carving price guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-block\">\n  <h3>Ask Which Documents Come With Your Piece<\/h3>\n  <p>Tell us the piece, your destination and whether you want a Certificate of Authenticity for a painting. We will confirm what is issued, and what your country may ask for, before you order.<\/p>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/6285237454011\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"cta-btn\">Discuter sur WhatsApp<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/galerie\/janger-demi-figurine-ii-sculpture-sur-bois\/\" class=\"cta-btn outline\">View the Janger Carving<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<style>#aob-custom-article .cta-btn.outline { color: #2c1810 !important; }<\/style>\n\n<span class=\"section-label\">FAQ<\/span>\n<h2 class=\"section-h2\">Questions fr\u00e9quemment pos\u00e9es<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"faq-section\">\n  <details class=\"faq-item\">\n    <summary class=\"faq-q\">How do you care for Balinese wood carvings?<\/summary>\n    <div class=\"faq-a\">Balinese wood carving care comes down to a few habits. Keep the piece out of direct sun and away from heaters, hold the room near 40 to 60 percent relative humidity without sudden swings, dust with a dry soft cloth, and check underneath monthly for fine sawdust. Wax handled surfaces about once a year. Do not wet-clean unfinished wood.<\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details class=\"faq-item\">\n    <summary class=\"faq-q\">What humidity is best for a wood carving?<\/summary>\n    <div class=\"faq-a\">The Western Australian Museum&#8217;s manual gives 40 to 60 percent relative humidity, with no more than a 5 percent change in any 24 hours. CCI notes a single correct value may not exist, so a steady room matters more than one exact number.<\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details class=\"faq-item\">\n    <summary class=\"faq-q\">Can I clean a wood carving with water?<\/summary>\n    <div class=\"faq-a\">Not on unfinished wood. CCI says unfinished wood should not be wet-cleaned. Use a dry soft cloth or a soft brush for dust. If a mark will not come off, send us a photo or ask a conservator before trying anything else on the surface.<\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details class=\"faq-item\">\n    <summary class=\"faq-q\">Should I wax or oil a Balinese wood carving?<\/summary>\n    <div class=\"faq-a\">CCI describes micro-crystalline wax as a paste wax for adding gloss to a finish, applied only once a year and only to handled surfaces. It notes that some furniture polishes leave residues that can affect finishes. Our Fumigation Declaration lists a final wax finish, so we suggest wax rather than sprays.<\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details class=\"faq-item\">\n    <summary class=\"faq-q\">Can I put a wood carving in sunlight or near a heater?<\/summary>\n    <div class=\"faq-a\">No. CCI and the Western Australian Museum both advise against direct sunlight, and CCI advises keeping wooden objects away from fireplaces, baseboard heaters and heat vents. Light damage is cumulative and cannot be reversed, so move the piece to a shaded wall or use blinds or curtains to limit direct sun.<\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details class=\"faq-item\">\n    <summary class=\"faq-q\">How do I know if a wood carving has insects?<\/summary>\n    <div class=\"faq-a\">CCI says sawdust-like material under a piece can signal active insects. Check under and behind the carving monthly. If you find powder or tiny holes, isolate the piece, photograph it and ask a conservator, or message us, before treating it yourself.<\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details class=\"faq-item\">\n    <summary class=\"faq-q\">Is a fumigation declaration the same as a phytosanitary certificate?<\/summary>\n    <div class=\"faq-a\">No. The Arts of Bali Fumigation Declaration is the gallery&#8217;s own statement of the carving, drying, treatment and wax steps. ISPM 12 says a phytosanitary certificate is issued only by officers authorized by the national plant protection organization, which in Indonesia is the Badan Karantina Indonesia.<\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details class=\"faq-item\">\n    <summary class=\"faq-q\">Does a painting from Arts of Bali come with a Certificate of Authenticity?<\/summary>\n    <div class=\"faq-a\">On customer request, yes. The certificate records the title, artist, medium, dimensions, date of creation and a unique number, includes a QR code for verification, and states that the artist keeps the copyright. It is not an appraisal. Ask for it when you place the order.<\/div>\n  <\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"tag-row\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/etiquette\/sculpture-sur-bois-balinaise\/\" class=\"tag\">Sculpture sur bois balinaise<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/etiquette\/bali-wood-sculpture\/\" class=\"tag\">Bali Wood Sculpture<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/etiquette\/art-conservation\/\" class=\"tag\">Art Conservation<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/etiquette\/certificate-of-authenticity\/\" class=\"tag\">Certificat d'authenticit\u00e9<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/artsofbali.com\/fr\/etiquette\/art-customs-guide\/\" class=\"tag\">Art Customs Guide<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/artsofbali.com\\\/balinese-wood-carving-care\\\/#article\",\n            \"headline\": \"Balinese Wood Carving Care: Humidity, Cleaning and Placement Guide\",\n            \"description\": \"Balinese wood carving care: keep humidity at 40 to 60 percent, avoid sun and heat, dust dry, wax yearly. Plus what our fumigation declaration and COA say.\",\n            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/artsofbali.com\\\/balinese-wood-carving-care\\\/\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-05T00:00:00+00:00\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-05T00:00:00+00:00\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n            \"image\": {\n                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/artsofbali.com\\\/balinese-wood-carving-care\\\/#primaryimage\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/artsofbali.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/janger-2.webp\",\n                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/artsofbali.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/janger-2.webp\",\n                \"description\": \"Balinese wood carving care example: hand-carved Janger half-body dancer, 20 cm, from the Arts of Bali gallery\",\n                \"name\": \"Janger half-body wood carving, Arts of Bali gallery\",\n                \"caption\": \"A Janger 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Keep the piece out of direct sun and away from heaters, hold the room near 40 to 60 percent relative humidity without sudden swings, dust with a dry soft cloth, and check underneath monthly for fine sawdust. Wax handled surfaces about once a year. Do not wet-clean unfinished wood.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What humidity is best for a wood carving?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"The Western Australian Museum's manual gives 40 to 60 percent relative humidity, with no more than a 5 percent change in any 24 hours. 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Our Fumigation Declaration lists a final wax finish, so we suggest wax rather than sprays.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I put a wood carving in sunlight or near a heater?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"No. CCI and the Western Australian Museum both advise against direct sunlight, and CCI advises keeping wooden objects away from fireplaces, baseboard heaters and heat vents. 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