Mask
Category
Wooden objects
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, Leather, Metal, Textile
Measurements
180 x 135 x 110 mm
Place of origin
Bali
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1335608
Caption
The Balinese Telek masks, Telek Muani (male) and Telek Luh, (female), are spiritual beings and the most important masks in the country. In masked dances in Bali, known as Topeng, the Telek characters form part of the following of the Barong Ket, the Lion King of the Jungle, and a good spirit. Barong Ket is also the enemy of Rangda (see 1335624). The sly smile and intense gaze of this painted wooden mask of Telek Muani indicate its demonic origins. In Balinese theatre, the Telek is now rarely seen.
Summary
Mask from Bali of carved wood painted grey with long slit female eyes which are outlined in black and gold as are the lashes and forhead decoration, gold teeth between red lips. Nostril holes. Crowned by a circlet of floral design, painted red, gold and black hair, lined in gold. Leather mouth thong nailed inside with two nails. Mask cracked and riveted with thread and waxed, and painted to match on exterior.. Red and white label reads: ‘UN204 F2’. In notebook no.4, page 46 (1340945.4) Charles Wade refers to: 'Seraphim 140. MASKS 23 specimens WAYANG WONG of carved wood, painted, used by actors dancing & singing the classic KAWI RAMAYANA episodes - also in the TOPENG, Local History Plays, BABAD mostly pantomime with dialogue by the comic actors.' Includes sketch of eyes..
Provenance
CPW Item 140 Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
References
Wade, 1944: Charles Paget Wade, Contents of Snowshill Manor. Volume 4 First and Second Floor, 1944, page 46