Rare Vintage Jauk Mask, Lombok (1320ZAR)

Description

Balinese-wood-carvings and Balinese-masks (topeng) are forms of folk-art and ethnic art that are a blend of Hindu-cultural-and-ritual-art and its initial religious animism unique to the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok. Most masks made in Bali are from pulai wood that rarely cracks and is easier to carve; but, as it is not native to Lombok, Balinese carvers there use more dense available woods. Jauk masks are said to stem from Balinese mythology before the arrival of Hinduism. There are two types of Jauk masks: the traditional Jauk Manis like this mask, is a softer, more approachable giant while Jauk Keras is more coarse and scary. The highlight of the dance is when the dancer moves quickly toward children shaking his hands and long fingernails, and they scream and scamper away in fear even though they know he is coming. Village temples have a yearly celebration of their founding every 210 days (the length of the Balinese religious calendar) called an odalan having colorful decorations, food and floral offerings to the gods. Masks, mask dances and dramas are also considered a way to honor, please and make offerings to the gods. This is part of the VA Spiritual-and-Inspirational Collection of Hindu-Cultural-and-RitualArt

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