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Lot 268:
Sri Lanka Kolam or Sanni - Demon Mask - Mid Century or Older
Sri Lanka Kolam or Sanni – Demon Mask. A hand carved and painted wood with a moveable jaw. Disease, Demon or Sickness mask in the form of a human face with animal teeth. This mask was most likely used for healing rituals. In some forms of traditional medicine, healing powers lie in peoples belief in supernatural powers. In societies in which illness is believed to be caused by the presence of evil spirits, a medicine man or shaman performs rituals, often involving dancing and chanting, to rid the body of spirits. Masks play important roles in religious, healing, exorcism and funerary rituals. The collection this mask is from was acquired midcentury so the mask in this lot is at least that old but may be much older. There are many different masks that have been made in Sri Lanka for generations and every mask maker seemed to have their own versions that follow along the stories lines of their beliefs. The name we gave to this mask is our best guess but it could fall under any of the following types of masks made in Sri Lanka – Kolam, Maha Kola, Makara Mask, Sanni, Garuda or Raksha Mask.
Condition: Authentic
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