Mask Item Number: Eh27 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting Moorman (a kolam dance mask). The mask is of a humanoid face with deep-set eyes, each with a crescent-shaped hole beneath, and an oval, pink face. The nose has slightly flared nostrils, and the mouth is open in a grin that shows a set of uniform white teeth. The mask also has arched eyebrows, long ears and there is a dark red-brown fez above the forehead. On the reverse, at the top of each ear is a nail with wire wrapped around it. There is also a nail with wire at the top centre. Label on reverse reads, "MOORMAN - KOLAM" in typewritten letters, and has an encircled "47" written in pencil.
History Of Use
The Kolam is a secular entertainment with considerable elements of social satire. It incorporates narrative, mime, dance, and music. A Kolam performance usually has four episodes the precise content of which may vary. These consist of a prelude, detailing the origin of the drama; the arrival of a royal party and dances by characters mythical, human and animal; enactment of a popular story or stories; and a purifying demon dance. This Kolam mask is of a ômoorman'
Cultural Context
exorcism
Iconographic Meaning
Moorman is characterized by the fez on the head. The fez denotes authority. It may also be used to denote a policeman.
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka before 1978
- Collected during 1978
- Owned by Jason Schoonover before February 10, 1981
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller) on February 10, 1981
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- Eh27
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- nux vomica wood ?, paint and metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved
- Overall
- height 24.0 cm, width 17.5 cm, depth 11.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Jason Schoonover
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sri Lanka
When
- Creation Date
- before 1978
- Collection Date
- during 1978
- Ownership Date
- before February 10, 1981
- Acquisition Date
- on February 10, 1981
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0704/0026