Mask Item Number: Eh140 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting a green humanoid face with a black moustache, beard, eyebrows, and hair. The flat eyes are edged in red, and each has a crescent-shaped hole underneath. There is also a red vertical mark on the forehed, and there are three dark green curved lines on the forehead, under each eye, and on the bridge of the nose. Wide red lips.
History Of Use
Mask is probably used during the Kolam series of dances which are generally entertaining in character, with much satire directed both at villagers and foreigners of all types.
Cultural Context
folk drama
Iconographic Meaning
Blue is a colour associated with foreigners, often with foreign devils
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka before 1983
- Owned by Sotheby's before November 1, 1983
- Received from Walter C. Koerner (Funding source) and Sotheby's (Seller) on November 1, 1983
What
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Sotheby's
- Received from
- Walter C. Koerner (Funding source) and Sotheby's (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sri Lanka
When
- Creation Date
- before 1983
- Ownership Date
- before November 1, 1983
- Acquisition Date
- on November 1, 1983
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 106
- Accession Number
- 0900/0005