20th C. Balinese Painted Wood Mask, Monkey

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java or Bali, ca. late 20th century CE. An expressive wooden festival mask with painted motifs and raffia fiber hair details. The fierce face represents a monkey figure that is part of the Ramayana story and may even represent Hanuman, the monkey companion to Rama. The mask verso has a clever woven wood domed frame shaped like a cap that is covered with a cloth and raffia which nearly completely hides the wearer's head. The lower jaw is a separate piece that is attached with slightly flexible plates, that allow the jaw to wobble to create a more animated visage. Masks like this example have been worn for centuries during dramatic dances for festivals, and the Ramayana is a popular reenactment, as it is one of the largest Hindu epics that narrates the life of Rama. Size (mask): 10" L x 9" W (25.4 cm x 22.9 cm); (raffia strands): 14" L (35.6 cm)

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#169391
Condition Report: Minor staining and discoloration to the wood, but overall good condition. Some fraying and shedding to raffia strands. The frame for wearing the mask is fully intact and wearable.