INDONESIAN Hand-Carved WOODEN MASK--Large MONKEY FACE

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INDONESIAN Hand-Carved WOODEN MASK Finely carved, hand-made in ornate detail, this very large mask, which looks like an oversize monkey face, comes from Indonesia , one of the worldâe(tm)s most renowned mask-making areas. Unlike masks made in Mexico and Central America, that are crudely carved and painted in a slap-dash manner, Indonesian masks achieve a level of fine folk art . See below for the history and significance of the craft of Indonesian mask making. This monkey -faced mask bears a striking South Pacific Islands look, and is in excellent condition, with only the tiniest scratch on its forehead (almost imperceptible). It's a very large mask, measuring roughly 12âe x 10âe, with the raffia beard extending another foot, would look great either on its own or as centerpiece to any mask collection. (From a smoke-free home.) Shipping: $8.25 by US Postal Service; insurance ($1.70) optional. Please feel free to ask questions, and thank you for viewing this auction. Below is some information on Indonesiaâe(tm)s rich tradition of mask making: The history of tribal Indonesian masks is indeed an interesting one. For starters, these masks come in a number of different forms, having been used for thousands of years. Although masks have evolved over the years, most of them are the primitive masks used for tribal ceremonies. Typically, these masks are made from wood. However, depending on the specific region w they come from, they are made from a number of materials. The goal of the Indonesian tribal mask is to scare off evil spirits, sickness, or to prevent natural disasters such as famine, drought, and floods. Interestingly, in Indonesia, the Mask Dance is one of the oldest performing arts known to man. This dance was first developed north of Java and by the 16 th Century, growing dramatically in popularity. Throughout Indonesia, you will find all types of masks, some of which are worn for funerals, some for initiation rites, and some for exorcism rituals. Amazingly, many area of Indonesia, including Batak, Maluku, and Timor, still believe strongly in the power of the mask and continue to use them today. It is believed that the Death Mask was actually one of the original forms made and used as a way of offering anonymity to performers. As the mask was worn, it created a more realistic presentation of the performer as he portrays being a god, demon, or ancestor. Another type of mask from Indonesia is the Court Mask, which is made from wood, then beautifully painted using gouache, and often enhanced with gems or studs. Many primitive masks are still being found in areas of Indonesia around Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Bali, including some that can be identified as ceremonial, funeral, and dance masks. Considering that 17,000 islands exist in Indonesia, you can only imagine the incredible findings. In fact, museums around the world now proudly display ancient tribal masks, some that are very valuable. Masks may represent gods, animals, demons, or humans and can be whole masks or half masks depending on the dance they are used for. Masks can also be sacred or non-sacred depending on their purpose and preparation. Because the mystical theatre in Indonesia has captured the attention of so many foreigners to the land, non-sacred masks are made abundantly for sale. However, the best of the mask carvers have not abandoned their calling to create the sacred, consecrated masks when they have a âeoefeelingâe to do so. Mask MakingMask carvers only begin to create a mask when the feeling is âeoerightâe. However, this feeling can change during creation, forcing the mask maker to halt the process and resume when the right feeling returns. Tfore t is no set amount of time it takes to make a mask and it can range from 40 days to 4 years. Although one man may be the carver, making masks is a community affair. First, the entire village decides that a new mask is needed and as a whole will s... read more

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