mask (ansiktsmask)

1916.9.204

Name and identification of character
A bull/bullock/ox.

Context
An animal character in the story portion in Kolam.

Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica). The horns appear to be real horns of a bull. A coloured hemp-cord.

Iconography
The snout is white and therefore differs from the specimens 1916.9.201-203. The shape of the mask, however, is similar. The most prominent characteristics are the two curved horns, fitted with actual animal horns. Normally, a ferrule, villa (Sin.), made of metal is sunk onto the horn. This is treated with a coating of silver dust, in order to enhance its value. There are no ears, but sufficiently large slots are seen on both sides of the forehead, which means that there have been ears. The bo-leaf (the leaf of a sacred fig tree) ornament on the skin is coloured black, with a red border (it is badly painted). There are cracks on the head, perhaps due to long use. The eyes are carved in an oval shape, with black and red lines painted on them. The nose is strong and broad. A horn cord, made of twirled twine, is passed through the nostrils and tied to a hole drilled in the head.

2000 03 23
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka