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Dance Mask (Topeng) of Prince Panji
Central Java, Indonesia
early 20th century or earlier
height: 19.7 cm
This mask is of hand carved wood and decorated with polychrome paints. It is of Prince Panji, the hero of the Panji cycle of stories. Prince Panji represents
the ideal of the halus (refined) hero. This mask is signed on the reverse, 'Warno Waskito'.
Dance masks were held in place by the dancer by gripping between the teeth a textile strip attached to the reverse of the mask. It was felt that through this
strip, the spirit of the character could enter the dancer’s body.
The gedhog stories of East Java form the core of the topeng repertoire in which Prince Panji features prominently. He is the counterpart of Arjuna, the princely
hero in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata.
Topeng dance is said to have been introduced to Java by one of the nine wali sanga (Islamic saints) who introduced Islam to the Indonesian archipelago
during the sixteenth century, along the north coast of Java.
Inventory no.: 276
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Dance Mask (Topeng) of Prince Panji
Central Java, Indonesia
early 20th century or earlier
height: 19.7 cm
This mask is of hand carved wood and decorated with polychrome paints. It is of Prince Panji, the hero of the Panji cycle of stories. Prince Panji represents
the ideal of the halus (refined) hero. This mask is signed on the reverse, 'Warno Waskito'.
Dance masks were held in place by the dancer by gripping between the teeth a textile strip attached to the reverse of the mask. It was felt that through this
strip, the spirit of the character could enter the dancer’s body.
The gedhog stories of East Java form the core of the topeng repertoire in which Prince Panji features prominently. He is the counterpart of Arjuna, the princely
hero in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata.
Topeng dance is said to have been introduced to Java by one of the nine wali sanga (Islamic saints) who introduced Islam to the Indonesian archipelago
during the sixteenth century, along the north coast of Java.
Inventory no.: 276
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Signature on the reverse.
