1895.36.15

Collection type

Object

Description

Mask surmounted by three cobras and with moveable jaw, used in dances performed for curing . Possibly represents Kola Sanniya. [JN 15/07/2008]

Long description

Mask surmounted by three cobras and with moveable jaw, used in dances performed for curing . Possibly represents Kola Sanniya. This mask is painted dark green with elaborate painted decoration above the eyes in gold, and red. The mouth is open with a hole, ?to enable the wearer to be heard? The mouth has carved teeth including two large canines. The eyes on the mask are both carved open and there are two holes beneath to enable the wearer to see. This mask probably represents Kola Sanniya [see 'research notes' below] [SM 11/07/2008]

Geographical reference

Sri Lanka

Asia > Southern Asia > Sri Lanka

Cultural groups

Sinhalese

Person

Field collector Frederic(k) W. de Silva

PRM source Frederic(k) W. de Silva

PRM source Henry Luttrell Moysey

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1895

Date collected

By 1895

Acquisition information

Donated: 1895

Materials and processes

Material Wood Plant, Material Pigment, Material Animal Leather Skin, Process Carved, Process Painted, Process Perforated, Process Nailed

Dimensions

Length: max 220 mm, Width: max 138 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1895.36.15

Research and responses

The following notes were taken during a visit on the 9th July 2008 by Mohan Daniel, a mask specialist from Sri Lanka. He noted that the masks were not always correctly identified with the relevant demon on the list in the RDF or the writing on the objects that was presumably written by Frederick De Silva before the objects were donated to the museum. It is unclear whether this was done deliberately to prevent the masks being used, or whether it was accidental. Mohan Daniel believes that this mask is incorrectly identified as "Kaga Sanniya", as this is not the name of a demon. This mask represents a very powerful demon, probably Kola. It is particularly hard to assign some masks to specific demons as they represented in different ways by different regional communities. He mentioned that masks like this were usually rubbed with an oil made from a now rare tree in Sri Lanka to act as an insect repellent. This oil leaves a shiny surface on the mask. Mohan Daniel believes that none of the masks in this collection [1895.36.1-18] were used, as they show no discolouration on the back of the mask and there are no holes to use to tie the mask onto the face. [JN 15/07/2008]

Associated publications

Illustrated in colour on page 332-333 of Les Maîtres du Désordres, edited by Josephine Chambonnière (Paris: Musée du quai Branly / Réunion des Musées Nationaux Grand Palais, 2012). Caption (same page): 'Dix-huit masques représentant les dix-huit maladies (Sri Lanka, avant 1895, 18 x 11,7 cm)'. (The eighteen masks in this collection are illustrated in accession number order, from left to right and from top to bottom of each page; the first nine on page 332 and the rest on page 333.) (Photocopy in RDF.) [FB 22/05/2013, JC 30 5 2013]

Search terms: Mask, Dance, Medicine, Religion, Medical Accessory