Wooden painted mask of the character Rama. Humanoid face with wide eyes and nose and cropped hair. Mask has hair carved along the top edge, painted black, with floral ornaments throughout. Central ornament in hair has additional curvilinear motifs carved into it. Teardrop-shaped ornament in centre of forehead, in between wide eyes. Pieces of skin nailed above eyes, as eyebrows, and above smiling dark red mouth, as a moustache. Gold painted shells(?) are inlaid in the mouth as teeth. Face is painted gold and all ornaments are bronze. Eyes are green-grey, rimmed in red and black. 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.

• History Of Use

  Represents a character from the Ramayana saga.

• Narrative

  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.

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• Type of Item mask
• Culture Balinese
• Material wood, paint, fibre, skin, metal, rubber, shell
• Measurements height 20.8 cm, width 15.4 cm, depth 9.6 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner Peter N. Nemetz
• Received from Peter N. Nemetz

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• Made in Bali

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• Ownership Date before November 9, 2020
• Acquisition Date on November 9, 2020

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• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3461/0012