LIVING TRADITIONS: FOLK AND TRIBAL ART (19-20 APRIL 2017)

14-15 / 108

14 15
19TH CENTURY
Bronze
14.25 in (36.6 cm) wide
$ 3,080 ‒ 4,620
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000
NON‒EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
KARNATAKA/KERALA
LATE 18 TH CENTURY
Bronze
20 in (50.8 cm) high
$ 12,310 ‒ 15,385
Rs 8,00,000 ‒ 10,00,000
NON‒EXPORTABLE REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
Banta is a non‒speaking spirit, often portrayed as a jester, who
accompanies and serves the Jumadi.
Compare with a similar Banta mask from the Collection
of Beroze and Michel Sabatier, as seen in Frédéric Rond,
Bhuta Masks and Ritual Objects of the Spirits, Paris: Espace
Durand‒Dessert, 2011, p. 58 (illustrated).
For a similar mask of Pilichamundi, refer to Johannes
Beltz ed., Wenn Masken Tanzen: Rituelles Theater und
Bronzekunst aus Südwestindien, Zürich: MuseumRietberg,
2009, fig. 24 (illustrated)