Theater mask «patihan»
Java, Indonesien
wood, polychrome painted, of oval hollowed form, green face, golden ornament («nama») on the forehead, crowned by an ornamentally carved, diademlike head crest, almond-shaped eyes, a slit-like opened mouth, ornamental beard, slightly dam., crack at the chin; the javanese theater as a whole goes back to the buffalo-skin figures of «wayang purwa», especially on the round figures of «wayang golek». The present mask is supposed to be a «patihan» mask, representing a governmental administrator.
H: 21 cm

Provenance:
Private Collection, USA

Lit.: Lucas, Heinz, Java-Masken, Der Tanz auf einem Bein, Erich Röth Verlag Kassel 1973, p. 157