Southeast Asia, Thailand, 19th to early 20th century CE. A large, hand carved wooden statue of two dancing figures. The lower is wearing a Khon face mask, depicting the demon Tosakanth. Tosakanth stands on an integral pedestal and wears a traditional dance garment. His mask is fierce, with large teeth and a furrowed brow. He squats and supports another dancer above his head. This dancer similarly squats with his hands held up, but he is not masked. His hair is coiled into a topknot and his face is inlaid with a glass eye. The surface has traces of pigments indicating this piece was brightly painted at one time. Size: 11" L x 5.75" W x 37" H (27.9 cm x 14.6 cm x 94 cm)

The traditional Khon performance not only includes dancing, but acting, acrobatics, a singing chorus, and musical instruments. The drama usually follows the story of Ramakien, the Thai version of "Ramayana," the Hindu epic story of the deity Rama. Tosakanth, or Ravana, is the main antagonist of the drama.

Provenance: private collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA

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#161289

Left arm of top figure is reattached, with losses to drapery. Top figure is reattached to lower figure with visible break lines across both feet. Missing one glass eye. Pressure fissures, cracks, and abrasions. Chips and nicks to high pointed areas and fading of pigments.