Relief with Kala Mask

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On display

V&A South Kensington
The Himalayas and South-East Asia, Room 47a

Artist/Maker	Unknown
Place of origin	Java (made)

Damaged Bronze relief of a Kala face with characteristically bulding eyes and a broad toothy smile enveloped in curling almost vegetal patterns. The Kala face (Sanskrit kīrtimukha) motif had wide applications in Java, often carrying protective associations; its precise function is unclear, but it may have served as a garment ornament, or a support for a ring-hook on a vessel.

Object details

Categories	Ornament Hinduism Buddhism Metalwork
Object type	Sculpture
Title	Relief with Kala Mask (generic title)
Materials and techniques	Bronze Bronze Casting
Brief description	Relief showing Kala face, Bronze, Majapahit style, East Java, Indonesia, ca. 15th century.
Physical description	Damaged Bronze relief of a Kala face with characteristically bulding eyes and a broad toothy smile enveloped in curling almost vegetal patterns. The Kala face (Sanskrit kīrtimukha) motif had wide applications in Java, often carrying protective associations; its precise function is unclear, but it may have served as a garment ornament, or a support for a ring-hook on a vessel.
Dimensions	Width: 14.5cm
Style	Majapahit
Gallery label	(14/06/2011) Relief with Kala Mask 1300–1500 The kala face is an emanation of the Hindu deity Shiva which was also used in Buddhist contexts. It was believed to have protective properties. The precise function of this relief is unclear, but it may have been a garment ornament or a support for a ring-hook on a vessel. Bronze Indonesia (East Java) Museum no. IS.6-1994
Object history	Bought from Anthony Plowright.
Historical context	Majapahit style
Production	East Java, Indonesia
Collection	South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number	IS.6-1994

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Record created	February 13, 2000
Record URL	https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O24773/relief-with-kala-mask-sculpture-unknown/

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