skulptur, figur, mask, sculpture

Unknown artist

1916.9.329 Name and identification of character The identity of this demon character is not clear. In the Umlauff Catalogue, it is identified as otbi yaku (Sin.). But the phonetical spelling is incorrect. A male demon called oddi yaksaya exists, but the general iconographic features convey the impression of a female demon. Context (The demon oddi appears in an exorcistic ritual called huniyam käpima (Sin.).) Material Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica). Iconography The mask is not worn by dancers, but is exhibited on the side of the ritual arena. It is a standing figure with the two feet placed on a mask, which is a part of the total structure. Sculptures of this genre normally contain two masks, one at the top and another at the bottom. This one has only one at the bottom. The hanging breasts, referred to as lota tana (Sin.), portray female characteristics. A piece of transparent cloth is worn over the breasts. The upper part of the body is bare. The lower part is dressed in an embroidered cloth called somanaya (Sin.). It contains the regular petal pattern painted in yellow, red and white. Her hands are stretched out in a supplicatory gesture. The mask at the bottom has the features of a gara demon. The ears are ornamented with cobras. 2001 10 01 Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka