Vintage Balinese Banaspati Raja Barong Guruda Tribal Topeng Dance Mask 20"

Description

Vintage Balinese figural mask featuring carved high relief and vibrant paint. This wooden mask represents the mythical creature known in Bali as Banaspati Raja, meaning “King of the Forest,” also called the Barong Ket or Keket.

Barong is traditionally a panther-like creature and character in the Balinese mythology of Bali, Indonesia. The Barong can take on the features of a number of different animals, including wild boar, dog, deer, lion and tiger, individually or in composite form. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda, the demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders in the mythological traditions of Bali. The battle between Barong and Rangda is featured in the Barong dance to represent the eternal battle between good and evil.

For the Balinese, Barong is the symbol of health and good fortune, in opposition to the witch, Rangda (also known as Calonarang). During a dance-drama that includes the famous kris (heirloom sword) dance, in which deeply entranced performers turn swords on themselves but emerge unharmed, Barong confronts Rangda in magical combat. Barong is brought to life by two dancers encased in an ornately decorated harness. From the figure’s mask hangs a beard of human hair decorated with frangipani flowers, in which the magic power of Barong is thought to reside.

Condition

Good vintage condition, wear and distressing commensurate with age and use, paint loss to back.

Dimensions

21" x 7" x 20"h