Vintage Small Rangda Mask, Balinese from Lombok (1265GCE) $395

Description

This rare folk-art Rangda mask was made on the island of Lombok, Indonesia by ethnic Balinese Hindu craftsman. Primarily Muslim, a Balinese Hindu minority ruled the island from 1750-1895 and Hindu temples (pura) have been centers for Balinese activities since the 17th century. Balinese girls are encouraged to “dance with their hands” and formal dance training begins at 6-7 years old. Body, eye, head and hand positions are difficult and require years of training and movements must coordinate with the music. Rangda rules an army of witches and practitioners of black magic. Barong, a lion-like mythical beast, is leader of the forces of good, her opposite and can negate her power and malicious forces. These mythical beings clash in the Barong dance (Calonarang)  wearing masks and Barong restores the traditional balance and stability. In good condition with a crack at its center on the rear side, this mask is in the VA collection of Hindu-cultural-and-ritual-art. Our two antique Rangda masks are missing their lower fangs and account for them being “de-commissioned.”

Click here for the blog Indonesian Dance Masks (Topeng): Spiritually Connecting the Community