Mask Item Number: Eh118 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting a fisherman (?) with an ovoid-shaped dark red face, black hair and arched brows, a small nose, large eyes each with a crescent-shaped hole beneath, flat-surfaced ears that angle outwards, and a red mouth with downturned corners. Yellow and black alternating curved lines on cheeks and nose. Small hole drilled through inner edge of ear on both sides.
History Of Use
There are two major types of dance drama in Sri Lanka; the Sanni and Kolam. This mask from Kolam group, which originated to appease a pregnant queen's craving to see masked dancers. This drama is a mythological rural opera with three sets of characters enacting a repertoire of skits from Buddhist and other lore. The characters are humans, as royalty and villagers, animals and demons; they enter the stage at night, singing, dancing and reciting verse till dawn
Cultural Context
folk drama; entertainment
Iconographic Meaning
Identified as Kolam mask of villager by realistic appearance
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka before 1983
- Collected during 1983
- Owned by Jason Schoonover before June 21, 1984
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller) on June 21, 1984
What
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 1983
- Collection Date
- during 1983
- Ownership Date
- before June 21, 1984
- Acquisition Date
- on June 21, 1984
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0972/0008