Southeast Asia, Indonesia, East Java, Classic Period, ca. 8th to 11th century CE. Stunningly detailed and brimming with sophistication, an ornate funerary mask made from 60.83% to 67.04% gold leaf (equivalent to 14K+ to 15K+) containing between 30.42% and 37.43% silver content as well. The ovoid vizard depicts the characteristic face of Kala, the Javanese god of death and the underworld, who peers outwards with enormous, bulging eyes beneath deeply furrowed and flame-licked brows. His bared teeth, wavy lip, rounded and cupped ears imbue the countenance with an intimidating presentation, and the luster of the gold leaf provides a wondrous opulence. The use of masks like this example started around the 6th century CE and were perhaps status symbols for the dead in the afterlife so they could differentiate themselves from amongst the throngs of deceased commoners. Size: 6.125" W x 6.8" H (15.6 cm x 17.3 cm); 8.6" H (21.8 cm) on included custom stand; gold quality: 60.83% to 67.04% (equivalent to 14K+ to 15K+); silver quality: 30.42% to 37.43%; weight: 70.8 grams

Cf. earlier examples in the Yale University Art Gallery, accession number 2008.21.90 and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, object number 2004.2231; a 14th century example can be seen at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1995.569.2

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, purchased in June 2008; ex-Dalton-Somare African and Asian Art, Milan, Italy

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#170948

Stabilization to both orbitals, nose, right cheek, teeth on right side, and upper forehead with thick putty visible along verso. Losses to several areas around peripheries, teeth, nose, and left side of face as shown. Over 2 dozen petite perforations around composition, with minor bending to some interior and peripheral areas, several stable fissures and tears to gold leaf, softening and abrasions to finer details, smooth encrustations within many recessed areas, and several petite indentations.