Mask Item Number: 3461/14 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Wooden painted mask of the king character. Humanoid face with curved and narrow eyes, wide nostrils and rounded cheeks. Sides of mask painted black and silver, simulating hair, with an open space in between, simulating a bald patch. Mask has a circular, silver ornament painted in between the eyes, with a dark blue centre. Small silver dots, with dark blue centres, surround the central circle. Two semi-circular lines are above the ornament, painted silver and black. Eyes are sunken and rimmed in black. Mouth is slightly open, painted red and rimmed in brown. Black moustache, done in black and silver, just above mouth. Black, dark brown and silver lines painted across face to highlight the cheeks and forehead. Entire mask is painted maroon. Mask has holes for eyes, nose and mouth. Hole drilled into top of mask with knotted string through it for hanging. Ink inscription inside of mask.

History Of Use

Represents a character from the Ramayana saga.

Narrative

Purchased in the 1970s by a friend of the donor, who was a representative of the Canadian government posted in Singapore. Thought to have been carved by either Ida Bagus Ngurah or his son, Ida Bagus Gelodog.