Today the village appears as a succession of palatial art shops, as Mas has developed into a flourishing center for the woodcarving craft.
Mas actually played an important role in Balinese history during the 16th century, as it was the place where a great priest from Java, Dang Hyang Nirartha (also called Dwijendra), had his hermitage. There is a legend when the priest stuck his wooden stick in the ground of the village, a miracle happened. The stick became alive and became a living tree with golden flowers, from which the village of Mas derives its name (In Indonesia Mas means Gold). The priest also predicted that all his descendant will live from wood. True enough, the village now is the famous village for woodcarving.
During the 1930s, under the influence of Walter Spies and Pita Maha, a new style of woodcarving developed here. The motifs were more realistic, and inspired by everyday scenes featuring humans and animals. Several of these early works may now be seen in Ubud's Puri Lukisan museum. During this period, woodcarvings began to be appreciated and purchased by foreigners, but only after 1970 the real boom take place.
Dozens of woodcarving shops now line the main road. The most famous and the best gallery is Njana Tilem Gallery. Normally guides don't like to take people here because the shop don't pay commision to them. You must see the collection room of Ida Bagus Njana and Ida Bagus Tilem - it is truly a museum piece quality.
The other gallery worth mentioning is Baris Gallery. The location is south of Njana Tilem Gallery. The Gallery is very humble yet it has the largest collection of Wayan Darlun's collection. I Wayan Darlun is recognized as the best student of Ida Bagus Tilem.
Bidadari Art Gallery also has several pieces of woodcarving of Tilem's student such as Wayan Darlun, Made Rema, Wayan Mudana.
One of the shop which must be visited for Woodcarving fanatic is Casa Luna in Ubud (Opposite of Museum Puri Lukisan), Casa Luna also possess quite large collection of Wayan Darlun. The price is relatively expensive however the piece is really good.
