1916.9.252
Name and identification of character
A cobra prince, naga kumaraya (Sin.).
Context
A mythological character in a solo dance in Kolam.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The head-dress consists of five cobra-hoods rising from a thin green border on the forehead band. The sideburns extend over the cheeks. The face is thickly painted in yellow. On the upper forehead band is a festoon of flowers painted in velvet with white stalks. The mask displays a polished, unwrinkled face. Two hoods have originally given way and later on these have been restored. Ears are mounted on two wooden wings coloured in blue.
Comments on the Umlauff Catalogue
The mask does not depict a cobra maiden, as is suggested in the Umlauff Catalogue. The face is male, with a moustache and sideburns.
2000 06 03
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka