Rare Vintage Balinese Sweet Jauk Mask, Lombok (1320ZAR)

Description

Jauk is a traditional Balinese mask of a giant with bulging eyes and large “smiling teeth.” There are two types: Jauk Manis (sweet, good) is a softer and less threatening demon while Jauk Keras (strong, hard) is coarse and more frightening. Jauk Manis is danced as a less angry, energetic, and scary way expressed using slower, more controlled movements, while jauk keras has a prominent set of creepy teeth and the dance is forceful and erratic with agitated and angry gestures. This very masterfully carved and unusual mask from the Balinese community on Lombok emphasizes the demon’s human characteristics without bulging eyes and with a smile and normal features. As in Bali, the moustache and eyebrows are of animal hide and hair. The mask would be in an elaborate headdress with attached moving elements to add tension to the performance. The dancer would also wear gloves with very long fingernails moving his hands back and forth rapidly to generate anxiety in onlookers. This was personally collected in Lombok in the 1970s. It is in excellent condition with a fine aged patina and minor paint losses and hairline cracks consistent with age and use.

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