Vintage Indonesian Ceremonial Masks
Item Details
A pair of Indonesian ceremonial masks. This pair features two hand-painted masks comprised of wood with decorative embellishments which were used in dramatic dances called ‘topengs’ to represent nature and ancestral spirits. The green mask is presented with a red headband with gold tone rhombus engravings, exaggerated pointed eyebrows, an elongated nose, red eyes, a thin mustache with a goatee and its verso is dark unfinished wood with hanging wire featured at its top. The white mask is created mimicking a Chinese dragon with a band of goldtone over red at its crown, red and black eyes, an upturned nose with gold tone nostrils, protruding white teeth and carved ears at its side. The mask features a fabric tongue that is protruding from its mouth with gold tone floral embellishments attached and its verso features unfinished wood wth hanging wire attached.
Condition
- paint wear and chipping consistent with age and use; significant wear to insides of masks; ornamentation on tongue beginning to bend.
Dimensions
- measured larger mask hanging on wall.
Item #
17BAL020-821
