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Mansa Raksaya

MOA: University of British Columbia

3392/31

A watercolour painting which depicts a spiritual being with the head of an animal at its feet. The being has pink skin. It is wearing a red skirt that ends just below the knee and curls outward at the hip. The bottom of the skirt has a border made up of white, yellow, and red horizontal stripes. The main body of the skirt is covered in thinner horizontal stripes, and consists of two pieces which come together in the front. A long piece of fabric hangs down from the waist. Adornments are wrapped around the being's chest and neck, and decorative bands encircle its biceps, wrists, and ankles. The being has three eyes, and a grinning, fanged mouth. It is wearing a headpiece that comes to points at both sides. Two large discs protrude from the sides of its head. One of the being's arms is raised above its head at a right angle. The second arm is holding an irregularly shaped object with a handle. The animal head at the being's feet is grey, with a long face and ears, and black horns that curve slightly backwards. The background of the painting is gold, and a rectangular black border surrounds the image. Blue and white oblong rings radiate from the being's head and shoulders.

  • History Of Use

    The imagery is possibly associated with ritual healing in Sri Lanka. The set of watercolours (3392/3-34) is said to depict spirits that inhabit planets, or deviyo (minor gods) or rakshas and yakkas (evil or mischievous beings). These beings are often depicted in masked dances and exorcisms.

  • Narrative

    The collector, Dr. Michael Egan, wrote his doctoral thesis on healing rituals in Sri Lanka. His fieldwork was carried out in the south of Sri Lanka, in the village of Kadurupokuna (Hambantota District), between Sept. 1965 and Nov. 1966.

  • Type of Item painting
  • Culture Sinhalese
  • Measurements height 37.2 cm, width 27.4 cm (overall)
  • Previous Owner Michael John Egan, Carol Egan
  • Received from Carol Egan
  • Made in Sri Lanka
  • Creation Date between 1960 and 1966
  • Collection Date between 1965 and 1966
  • Ownership Date before 1977, before October 2, 2019
  • Acquisition Date on October 2, 2019
  • Item Classes paintings; works on paper
  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3392/0031

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