Sri Lanka

9 inches, painted wood

Originally it would have had large ears, but they have been lost. The jaw is a separate piece and was probably meant to move during usage. There are little nail holes around the mouth and the forehead which may have held on hair or some other attachment.

This is a typical example of a Sinhalese ritual mask. The Sinhalese use the mask during 1) Kolam dancing - dramatic performances representing both human and superhuman characters 2) Devil dancing - associated with exorcising rituals, removing devils and illnesses from people 3) Sokari dancing - worn during theatre performances or Devolmadu ceremonies, or public rituals in Sri Lanka. The most developed are the 19 distinct disease masks. They are of ferocious nature, fanged, and with startling eyes.