Large Rangda Mask of a Prince.  Hand Carved and Painted.  Bali.  Indonesia

 

 

Balinese masks are colorful, expressive, and full of spirit . . .  spirits from the ancestral world, that is.  These spirits or entities are represented in various stories of Hindu texts and – with masks and costumes – used in rituals and ceremonies.  However, Balinese dances and masks are not entertainment tools but are manifestations of spiritual practices and rituals.  So, this is quite serious.

 

There are many types of Bali masks (human, animal, deity and demon) some friendly and some evil ones . . . Barong (representing the good); Rangda (representing the dark side).

 

This mask is linked to Rangda (“widow” in old Javanese), intended to resemble a wife’s soul when she follows a departed husband to the netherworld.  The back story goes that Rangda was linked to a historic queen who was condemned because she practiced black magic.  Widowed but still hurt and humiliated, she sought revenge on the family, royal court and entire kingdom.

 

Enter a “Mask of the Prince” with tons of character and used in many ceremonies.  Even  with a chip in the tongue and some repair to the back of the head . . .  this colorful and historic piece yearns for your wall or shelf.

 

Hand carved from the 1980s and acquired from an Indonesian collector.

 

 

Temporary Price Reduction.