Mask Item Number: Eh137 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting a monkey face with a fringe of hair carved into the wood from forehead to chin, small eyes with a small slit under each, and lips pressed together with upturned corners. The face is black and the hair is painted grey. The nose is rounded with semi-circlular slits for nostrils. There are holes either side of the face, behind the ears.
History Of Use
Used in Kolam ceremony which is a form of secular entertainment. It is satirical and contains narrative, dance, music, and mime. There are 4 parts which can vary. The first part tells of the origin of the drama, the second part shows the arrival of royalty and dances by demons, humans and animals. Part three is the acting out of a story or stories and part four is a purification dance.
Cultural Context
ritual;secular entertainment
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
- 0900/0002