Mask Item Number: Eh15 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting a humanoid face that is painted brown with a black hat, large protruding ears (the left ear is part b, and the right is part c) bulging black eyes with red rims as well as a crescent-shaped slit under each, a curved nose with large nostrils, a black moustache with upturned tips, and a small mouth with upturned red lips. The hat has two incised lines on both the top and bottom, a hole at the top centre, and has the numbers "5975" incised into the centre. There is a hole below each ear.
History Of Use
The Kolam is a secular entertainment with considerable elements of social satire. It incorporates narrative, mime, dance, and music. A Kolam performance usually has four episodes the precise content of which may vary. These consist of a prelude, detailing the origin of the drama; the arrival of a royal party and dances by characters mythical, human and animal; enactment of a popular story or stories; and a purifying demon dance. This policeman mask is a recent Kolam mask, added when a naturalistic style was prevalent.
Cultural Context
exorcism
Iconographic Meaning
Authority is reflected by the up-turned moustache. The smiling mouth, often seen on policeman masks, representing a sense of humour. The numbers on the cap indicate either the year of enlistment or the rank number of the policeman.
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka before 1978
- Collected during 1978
- Owned by Jason Schoonover before February 10, 1981
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller) on February 10, 1981
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- Eh15 a-c
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- nux vomica wood ? and paint
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and painted
- Overall
- height 22.5 cm, width 21.5 cm, depth 12.0 cm
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 1978
- Collection Date
- during 1978
- Ownership Date
- before February 10, 1981
- Acquisition Date
- on February 10, 1981
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 106
- Accession Number
- 0704/0014 a-c