Mask Item Number: Eh126 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Mask depicting a creature with a red-brown face dotted with white spots, bushy black eyebrows, protruding eyes that look upwards and have black centres surrounded by radiating black lines on white. A vertical ridge between the eyes joins a square snout with round holes for the nostrils. The mouth is wide open to expose white teeth and a wide red leather tongue, which is nailed to bottom of the jaw and protrudes out the front. Two pointy ears either side of the face.

History Of Use

Animal characters appear in the Kolam dance drama of southern Sri Lanka. Although there are no specific animal scenes, when animals appear they make appropriate noises and move to the accompaniment of a singer who describes the character. Animal masks belong to the oldest mask types, and this mask was probably used in a story involving an ox and a leopard. Kolam masks are not made to be spoken through but to impress and convey emotion by the expression of the mask itself.

Cultural Context

ritual exorcism

Iconographic Meaning

Spots indicate the animal character most likely portrayed would be the leopard or diviya, used in Sinhalese for both tiger and leopard, also known as koti.

Item History

What

Name
Mask
Identification Number
Eh126
Type of Item
mask
Material
leather skin, wood, paint and plant fibre
Manufacturing Technique
carved and painted
Overall
height 16.0 cm, width 18.5 cm, depth 25.5 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
Galle, 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
0972/0016