Mask

Represents a character from the Ramayana saga.

Purchased in the 1970s by a friend of the donor, who was a representative of the Canadian government posted in Singapore. Thought to have been carved by either Ida Bagus Ngurah or his son, Ida Bagus Gelodog.

Wooden painted mask of the character Rangda. Humanoid, demon-like face with bulging eyes, a protruding nose and four tusk-like teeth. Light blue and gold scalloped headdress on top of mask. Central scallop is red and has three triangular protrusions with a teardrop-shaped projection in the centre. Swirls carved in relief next to the teardrop. Curved triangles along top of headdress, in front of the scallops. Red horn-like shapes on either side of the headdress. Stylized geometric and circular motifs painted across all of headdress in white, black and gold. Black triangular protrusions along sides of face with white linear motifs painted overtop. Mouth is open wide and has large white teeth along the top and bottom edges, in the centre. Mouth painted dark red, gums are pink. Face is painted white and has black textured lines around the cheeks, chin and down the bridge of the nose. Eyes are painted orange and yellow, and rimmed in red. Mask has holes for eyes, nose and mouth. Eye hook on back of headdress, with white knotted string attached. Piece of skin(?), with a hole in one end, nailed above eye hook. Ink inscription inside of mask.