Blas Sbal, Storyboard Master Carver and Artisan
Rich in tradition, the Palauan Storyboards are true works of art. And Jeff's Pirates Cove Treasure Island Gift Shop is fortunate to have their storyboards carved by a true Palauan Master Carver, Blas Sbal. Blas Sbal is also the son of a master storyboard carver.
Storyboards are indigenous to Palau and the architectural parents of these storyboards are the carved beams and gables of the Bai, the traditional Palauan men's clubhouse. These carvings depicted their legends and other stories about their gods and heros, about love, childbirth, truth, betrayal, and even death.
You can find a lot of these stories in the document titled, "The Folktales of Micronesia".
The storyboards have also been influenced by the various occupiers of Palau such as the Spanish since the 1500s, the Germans in the late 1800s to early 1900s, the Japanese since 1914 until the United States seized control during WWII.
Most of us would be quite surprised to learn not only that storyboards are a relatively new creation but also that storyboards were introduced by a Japanese artist and anthropologists, Hisakatsu Hijikata, who came to Palau in 1929 when the region was under Japanese administration.
Here is a link to a detailed history of the storyboards.
The storyboards themselves can be made from several hardwoods that are grown on Palau. The finest storyboards are made from ironwood, or dort as it is known in the Palauan language. This is the preferred kind of wood as it is both strong and long lasting.
Here are other Palauan Master Storyboard Carvers; Osiik, Ngirabuuch, Sbal, Bernadino, Baris and Ruimd.
Here are othe works of Blas Sbal......
The Legend of the Fish Bearing Tree of Ngibtal
The piece is not an authentic Sbal unless you see this carved signature.
When you purchase one of these works of art, you are not taking home just another piece of art but a part of history of one of the most beautiful islands in the world......Palau.
So stop on by the Treasure Island Gift Shop this week and check out these storyboards. You'll be glad you did.
We are located at Jeff's Pirates Cove in the awesome southern village of Ipan, Talofofo. Hurry now....
The Pirate awaits you.....
I have three storyboards carved in the early to mid seventies by Sbal F. My parents purchased the boards while we were living on Guam between 1974 and 1976. My mother says they were purchased on Guam.
ReplyDeleteIs Sbal F, Blas Sbal's father?
We have a SBAL F. carved signature on a carved picture with three native women on L, two native men top R and a mermaid lower R. Any idea of origin or artist? The picture is so beautiful and we love it.
DeleteJill, from your description you have what is called a "storyboard". These are scenes of legends of the island nation of Palau in this case. These were typically carved on native wood. Sbal F is actually the late Franciso Sbal, one of the recognized storyboard master carvers from the 1930s. You have a work of art that is to be cherished. Consider yourself very fortunate to have a work from Franciso. (:{
DeleteConnie, regarding your question, I am not sure. I know he had a son named Sano. But I will do some checking with Blas Sbal on who his father is. (:{
DeleteHello my name is Keith and I recently purchased a storyboard titled "Shark Hunter". Does anyone have a copy of the story?
ReplyDeleteThey are brothers...Connie and Jill can you take pictures of the storyboards and post them
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know Francisco Sbal is Blas Sbal's brother.
DeleteI would love too, but I can't seem to get the photos to upload.
Francisco is the father of Blas and Sano. Blas is the oldest. There are other siblings, two passed and one sister not really into carving.
DeleteThat is okay Connie and that's what I meant person above. Francisco is my Grandad he died before I was born sadly.
DeleteHow is Francisco your grandad, I know all his grand kids and they were all born before he past?
DeleteI was born two years after he died
DeleteI was born two years after he died
DeleteI have a wooden story board by Y.Master. It is a man sent to get a turtle. He fell out of the boat, so no boat and no turtle. His head has his face carved with his hands up, as if what to do, what to do.
ReplyDeleteI am having a difficult time finding this. Purchased in Palau (maybe Yap) about 2000. Would like to know its value.
Many thanks.
I am looking for the value on a storyboard from Yap or Palau. It is a signed storyboard, Y.Master, depicting a man had been sent to the ocean to get a turtle. He fell out of the boat. Both boat and turtle not in hand. His head actually has two faces as if he is looking back and forth with his hands in the air. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteI have a 3 ft carving s.sbal sig ature of women performing surgical child birth on two women. can you give me more info.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 storyboards one early Micronesian Battle scene on a thinner lighter wood and a signed Sbal Francisco Bai style board. These were hanging in my Grandfather Garage until he passed. They were given to me and have been hanging in my Garage for the last 20+ years. My Grandfather was stationed on Samoa during the war and spent alot of time traveling the Islands after the war with his brother. Gram did not talk much about those times. I wanted to share this. Thanks Paul
ReplyDeleteAre you planning on selling it? Would like to know the price of it.
DeleteI have two story boards that I purchased in Palau, probably in 1979. I taught at Bethania for two years. These are not signed. Is there a reason for that? The scenes are the discovery of the egg laying cycle of the turtle and the fish from the bread fruit tree story. On the back fo one of these is the number 7-59 written with a black marker.I loved my time there. I also brought home some carved abais. Janet
ReplyDeletemy name is coral eaton Fernandez and this is a picture of my uncle my mother romana abal brother and sbal fransico is my grandfather my father his name is steve eaton still carves the local and may still have information on some of the sotries
ReplyDeleteHi I just found a wood carving with SBAL carved in the bottom right-hand corner. I notice that most of what you mentioned has B SBAL. The scene has an alligator or crocodile on it and a boat filled with warriors carrying hatchets. It appears they are throwing spears at the croc. Also has a palm tree and other people running from land w/ spears and throwing them towards the croc. I am wondering if this carving is in the same family as those you have mentioned and is it of any valuable? I think it looks amazing, regardless. Thanks, Sharon
ReplyDeleteFinally found a site that has information on an item I've owned since the early 80's!
ReplyDeleteI have a pressed bamboo tray with picture signed by S. Sbal (I'm guessing that's Sano?) that depicts the story of the unfaithful wife. The back of the tray has the entire story written in two languages, one being English and I'm not sure what the other is (it looks more like Japanese than anything else, but it's not)
The picture on the front is fantastic, but I can't tell what it was painted on with. Any ideas about these?