Antique Pental Half Face Comedy Mask
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Description
Antique Pental Half Face Traditional Comedy Ceremonial Dance Mask
Region: Wonosari Java / Indonesia
Height: 15cm / 6 inches
Width: 14cm / 5.5 inches
This Pental mask is a genuine antique and one of a theatrical dance mask in the Javanese Tradition of Tarian Topeng.
Pentul masks are made with a half face – from the forehead to the upper lip.
The complete performance involving the Pentul mask is a battle ceremony with at least two troupes battling in the village square. Pentul dances originate from pre-Hindu culture (before the sixth century AD) and survived in Java, throughout the Hindu Buddha period, the Islamic period, and Dutch colonialism. To this day Pentul trance dances are still performed to celebrate harvest thanksgivings, circumcisions, weddings, or even the Indonesian Independence day.
