Mask Item Number: Ef192 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Papier-mache mask of woman's face. The face has the following facial features: prominent red coloured lips that are outlined in black, a pointed nose, eyes and eye brows outlined in black, a round jaw line, and protruding ears decorated with round yellow painted earrings. The woman wears a raised yellow painted crown that is decorated with white, light brown, red and green linear designs. There are white dotted circular designs on each cheek and in the middle of the woman's forehead.
History Of Use
This type of mask, although now primarily made for sale as decoration, traditionally was used by pilgrims/devotees in 'puja' (worship) in prayer dances which portray the lives of the gods or goddesses that are depicted on the masks. This mask is of the Hindu goddess, probably either Durga or Lakshmi. It would therefore either be used for the Durga or Lakshmi Puja. Traditionally, these masks were actually worn in the puja dances and unlike this one, had actual holes for eyes that the dancer/devotee could look through. Now the masks have painted eyes.
Iconographic Meaning
Depicts Hindu goddess or 'devi'.
Item History
- Made in Odisha, India
- Collected during 1975
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before December 2, 1977
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller) on December 2, 1977
What
Who
- Culture
- Indian
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Odisha, India
When
- Collection Date
- during 1975
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 1977
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 106
- Accession Number
- 0411/0163