Mask Item Number: Eh139 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting a humanoid face with black hair composed of rounded ridges, thick black eyebrows, small pointed ears, bulging eyes with a crescent-shaped slit under each, a bulbous nose, and an open grimacing mouth with red lips and white teeth bordered in black. Ridged wrinkles on forehead and cheeks. The chin is short with a slight dimple at the centre. There are two holes either side of the mask at the hairline.
History Of Use
Amukku is the demon appearing in the Sanni dances of exorcism . This demon represents vomiting. The dancer sometimes spits out boiled rice held in the mouth.
Cultural Context
ritual healing
Iconographic Meaning
Wide open distorted mouth, extensive wrinkles around mouth and on forehead, small pointed ears may indicate the demon, Amukku.
Item History
- Made in Mongeragola, Sri Lanka ? before 1984
- Collected during 1984
- Owned by Sotheby's before November 1, 1983
- Received from Walter C. Koerner (Funding source) and Sotheby's (Seller) on November 1, 1983
What
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Sotheby's
- Received from
- Walter C. Koerner (Funding source) and Sotheby's (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Mongeragola, Sri Lanka ?
When
- Creation Date
- before 1984
- Collection Date
- during 1984
- Ownership Date
- before November 1, 1983
- Acquisition Date
- on November 1, 1983
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 107
- Accession Number
- 0900/0004