Vintage Javanese Mask of Old Man Featured in Spider Man Movie (1318BER) SPECIAL PRICE
Original price was: $1,050.00.$775.00Current price is: $775.00.
H: 14.875” W: 6” D: 4.125” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 or [email protected]
This fine antique Javanese mask is in the mannered decorative style of the Javanese court in Jogjakarta. His age is expressed in the exaggerated facial structure, the decorative wrinkled skin pattern on his face, the toothless expression of his mouth and his extended chin. Considering its age and use, it is in very good condition with paint-flake losses. Possibly owned by a mask dancer before it was personally collected in Jogjakarta in the 1970s, it would be unique addition to any mask collection. It was featured in the original Spiderman 2002 movie along with the Timor Ancestor Mask (1203) and the Dyak Ancestor Mask (1314) in the collection of the Green Goblin and comes with a museum quality metal stand. The three masks look spectacular together.
Description
Javanese Wayang (puppet theater) Topeng (literally “pressed against the face” or mask) is a very refined dance form accompanied by gamelan music. In Bali Topeng tua is the charming dance of an old courtier’s fragile movements, his lack of control and his gathering energy for a short lively dance. He sits behind a cloth curtain, shakes and opens it after the music begins. An old man straining to stand, he begins a hesitant dance, an his muscle memory takes control and his pace increases. He dances crisply but after a period of skilled movements, he loses his control and balance, recovers and slowly moves back to his chair, sits and closes the curtain. Ethnic folk-art mask dances from Bali are lively and rooted in Hinduism and their past animism. Javanese dances are extremely formal, didactic and conservative as they are heavily influenced by Islam. Javanese masks may be painted with bright approved designs but follow strict rules for historical or mythical characters. This ethnic mask of an old Javanese courtier is danced much differently than in Bali, as Javanese dance is courtly, highly stylized, slower and without much energy. Purchased in Java in the 1970’s, it is a brilliant one-of-a-kind mask featured in the original 2002 Spiderman movie with two more of our masks.
Click here for the blog Indonesian Dance Masks (Topeng): Spiritually Connecting the Community
Additional information
Place of Origin | Indonesia |
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Period | Antique/Vintage (1910-1980) |
Date | 1930-1950 |
Materials and Technique | Wood |
Dimensions (inches) | : Ht on stand : 14.875” W: 6” D: 4.125” |
Dimensions (metric) | : Ht on stand: 37.78cm W: 15.24cm D: 8.89cm |
Weight | 2 lbs 8oz |
Condition | Very good, patina and wear consistent with age and use |
Item Number | 1318XKR |
Shipping Box Size | Oversized. Call 213-568-3030 or email [email protected] for shipping. |