Mask Item Number: Eh136 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting a blue-green elongated humanoid face with a lobed black, red, white and green headdress that has a stylized flower at the centre front and is bordered by a band of scallops in white on black. The mask also has bulging red-rimmed eyes with crescent-shaped openings underneath, stylized ears with red recessed areas, high arched thin black eyebrows, red lips with a row of pointed top teeth and curved fangs at either corner of the mouth.
History Of Use
This is a Kolam mask, Yaka Kumara, demonic prince. Used in Kolam dance which includes superhuman characters.
Cultural Context
worn by men in dancing
Iconographic Meaning
The crown indicates a royal figure. The green face, bulging eyes and fangs indicates a demonic figure.
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka before 1983
- Collected during 1984
- 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
- Collection Date
- during 1984
- Ownership Date
- before November 1, 1983
- Acquisition Date
- on November 1, 1983
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0900/0001