1916.9.254
Name and identification of character
The cobra demon Ratna Kuta.
Context
A character in a solo-dance in Kolam.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The head-dress is composed of three cobra-hoods rising from a turban-shaped forehead band. The coils extend downwards along the cheeks in the form of side-whiskers of a male character. The face is painted in yellow and has a rough texture. As in many other cobra masks, the centre cobra-hood is dilated and decorated with line and geometric designs. The mouth is twisted and clumsy in appearance.
Comments on the Umlauff Catalogue
The identification of the mask as depicting a cobra maiden is incorrect.
2000 06 05
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka