mask (dance & live theatre)

Mask of the monkey general Hanuman, Phra Ram's ally in the Ramakien. He has a white face with a wide open mouth, completely surrounded by teeth with the outlines painted in black. There are four small fangs in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. The inside of the mouth is painted with pink stripes across the upper palate. Surrounding the mouth is a raised green band painted with black stripes, probably representing hair. The nose is moulded into a snarl. The eyes are round, with small round apertures towards the inside, surrounded by a green band with black striped markings, ending in a downward curl. There are red painted lines around the edges of the eyes. Above the eyes, the eyebrows are raised green arches, painted in black stripes, ending in protrusions that project upwards and outwards to either side.

A cardboard or leather ear on the right hand side of the mask ends in green flame-like shapes. An elaborate gilt lacquer band goes all around the top of the head, decorated with square pieces of mirror glass. At either side of the face a strip of gold band comes down, ending in a flame shape, possibly made of leather, that protrudes. Below is a similar flame-shaped leather piece. The top of the head is decorated with painted red lines, and has three pronounced ridges along the middle, with small peaks along their lengths. The back of the head is painted brown with a blue tendril and pink flower shapes to each side.

Collection Information

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