1916.9.307
Name and identification of character
A cobra demon referred to as naga raksaya (Sin.) or ratnakutaya (Sin.).
Context
Stage two in a Kolam performance.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
One of the ear-discs is missing. The existing ear-disc is in the shape of a lotus flower. Two cobras frame the disc with the hoods rising upwards.
The crest of the mask is composed of four cobras. The eye-brows are decorated with the common petal design, pala-peti (Sin.). The mouth is half-open. Two eye-teeth. Black whiskers are drawn around the mouth. The nostrils are drilled and two cobras issue from them.
2000 12 19
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka