Sinhalese Cobra Dance Mask
19th century
Height: 25cm Weight: 200g
This eerie Sinhalese Cobra Dance mask shows a cobra emerging from the mouth to envelope one side of the face. It is carved from softwood and polychrome painted; the front and rear have good age and patina. Golu-Sanniya, the demon of dumbness, is one of the 18 sanni “disease” demons that represent specific physical and psychological ailments visualised in the leering masks. The full complement is rarely represented; only the most likely demons to be causing a person’s affliction are worn. During an exorcism the sanni demons are summoned, offered tribute, and requested to leave the patient alone.
SOLD
If you are interested in this item, please fill in the form below
We Also Recommend