Indonesia, Bali or Java, 20th century CE. This is a gorgeous hand carved wood mask painted bright blue with sensuous lips, a pointed nose, narrowed eyes, black, incised hair, and gold and colorful details forming a crown atop his head. This is a Topeng -- actually the Indonesian word for mask -- which is worn during the dramatic dances enacted in Bali and to a lesser extent Java that depict traditional stories of kings, princes, heroes, and myths. In these dances, the entire story is performed by only four or five actors playing all the parts, both male and female. As a result, actors will have around forty masks like this one that are only his; there is believed to be a special bond between actor and mask and that when he dons the mask, he enters a kind of trance, connected to the spiritual world. Based on the color of the mask, this one probably depicts Prince Panji; his story is based on his romance with Princess Kirana and his attempts to find her after she is kidnapped. Size: 6.5" W x 8.75" H (16.5 cm x 22.2 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Nikotovich collection acquired before 1980

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#113147

Slight crack down one side, which has been repaired on the interior of the mask (not the displayed exterior); colors are very bright!