Indonesian Wayang topeng mask, “Raja Putri**”**

19th–early 20th century

Indonesia, Bali

H20*15*15cm

This wooden mask —topeng—of a character calledRaja Putri (princess), showing a beautiful and noble lady image, belongs to a rarified genre of Balinese dance-drama. Such masks were carved by the most esteemed Balinese sculptors of their generation.

Topeng is a dramatic form of Indonesian dance in which one or more mask-wearing ornately costumed performers interpret traditional narratives concerning fabled kings, heroes, and myths, accompanied by gamelan or other traditional music instruments. Topeng dance is a typical Indonesian dance that can be found in various regions of Indonesia. Topeng dance has the main characteristic that the dancers use masks to cover their faces. The dance will usually be performed by one dancer or a group of dancers.

Topeng is widely used in dances that are part of traditional ceremonies or the retelling of ancient stories from the ancestors. It is believed that topeng is closely related to ancestral spirits which are considered interpretations of gods. In some tribes, topeng still adorns various daily artistic and customary activities. Topeng dance is a performance dance full of meaningful symbols that are expected to be understood by the audience. These symbols are conveyed through the colors of the masks, the expressions of the masks, and the accompanying music. The meaning conveyed can be in the form of leadership values, love, wisdom, and other meanings conveyed through the medium of dance movements.

印尼 Wayang topeng 面具 Raja Putri 王妃”

19到20世纪初期

巴厘岛，印度尼西亚

高20*15*15厘米

这个Topeng戏剧木制面具是一个名为Raja Putri 的王妃角色，代表一个美丽尊贵的贵妇形象，属于巴厘岛舞剧的一种稀有类型。由最受尊敬的巴厘岛雕塑家雕刻。

Topeng 是印度尼西亚舞蹈的一种戏剧形式，由一名或多名戴着华丽服装的面具表演者在加麦兰或其他传统乐器的伴奏下诠释有关传说中的国王、英雄和神话的传统叙事。 Topeng舞是一种典型的印度尼西亚舞蹈，在印度尼西亚的各个地区都可以找到。

Topeng 广泛用于传统仪式或重述祖先古老故事的舞蹈中。 人们相信，Topeng与祖先的灵魂密切相关，祖先的灵魂被认为是神的解释。 在一些部落，Topeng仍然装饰着各种日常艺术和习俗活动。 不同的意义符号通过面具的颜色、表情以及伴随的音乐来传达，以表示价值观、爱与智慧。