Description: A magnificent early 20th century sacred Ayutthaya Temple Ceremonial Dance and Theatre Face Mask, depicting the elephant-headed deity, Lord Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati, revered as one of the most popular deities in the patheon of Hindu Gods.
xxxxA sacred Temple blessed Face Mask modeled in traditional 'Ayutthaya' style, made of Papier Mache, hollow and painted mirror-works, that would have been used in the performance of stories from the sacred Hindu text "Mahabharata', one of the worlds longest epic poems, written by Lord Ganesha using his broken-off tusk, a symbol of sacrifice and reiterates Ganesha's role as patron of the arts and of letters.
xxxx This particular mask would have been worn by dance masters from Thai courts who perform classic Royal Ballets from Hindu mythology, and well versed in the portrayal of the elephant-headed deity. The hollowed head is sensitively rendered with a softly contoured face and serene contemplative expression, beautifully depicted in red pigment, temple marked with Buddhist inscriptions, vivid blue eyes, striking white tusk and prominent ears, wearing a tapered gilded crown decorated in mirror and jeweled inlays, using the 'Thayo' technique of moulded lacquer. The crown is surmounted by a domed 'Ushnisha', rising to a stylized bulbous ornament finial, carved of teakwood and fitted in the sculpted hole atop the head. The surface has a beautifully aged painted and gilded patina, excellent condition with minor abrasions, chips, and missing parts as presented.