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 minister character. Humanoid face with wide eyes and nose and cropped hair. Mask has hair carved along the top edge, painted black. Teardrop-shaped ornament in centre of forehead, in between the eyes. Ornament is painted gold and has raised circular motifs across it. Pieces of skin with black hairs nailed above eyes, as eyebrows, and above smiling dark red mouth, as a moustache. White shells(?) are inlaid in the mouth, as teeth. Face is painted a light orange-brown. Eyes are grey and black, rimmed in black, grey and dark red. Mask has holes for eyes and nose. Holes drilled into either side of mask with rubber band attached for hanging. Ink inscription inside of mask.