Intricately hand made Thai Hanuman (monkey king) mask on a custom wood stand. Hand painted in bright polychrome, primarily a green face with black areas, red & pink mouth, Hanuman wears a gold/gilt colour headdress studded throughout with small mirrors. These reflect the light well. The paintwork is original and this came originally from Bangkok, in the 1980's where it was purchased. These masks are worn by actors in traditional dance dramas or performances. The plots of the dramas are taken from the traditional Mahabharata Based on the Hindu stories about the hero Hanuman. An unusual decorative object. Dimensions: W10", D10", H13.5".
Age: 1980's. Purchased in Thailand.
Hanuman is by far the most important monkey. In the Ramakien, Hanuman is Rama's most trusted general. His mask has many features which indicate he is a monkey with very special powers. The mask is highlighted in green and pink. He wears only a coronet so red and gold markings are evident on the top of his head. Hanuman is the son of the God of Wind and can thus fly through the air. When Hanuman yawns, he exhales suns, moons, and stars. This is the magical power by which people recognize Hanuman. Another symbol of Hanuman's special power is the jewel between his eyebrows. This symbol appears on statues of the Buddha and represents inner energy.
