TITLE: Javanese Klana
TYPE: face mask
GENERAL REGION: Asia
COUNTRY: Indonesia
SUBREGION: Java
ETHNICITY: Javanese
DESCRIPTION: Klana Gandrung Mask
CATALOG ID: ASID034
MAKER: Unknown
CEREMONY: Topeng Dance Drama
AGE: ca. 1950s
MAIN MATERIAL: pule wood
OTHER MATERIALS: paint
The Topeng dance drama of the island of Java centers around the political history of the region and are called Babad Dalem (Chronicles of the Kings) or Raket. The most popular story centers around the national hero Panji, whose consort Dewi Chandrakirana is abducted by the powerful King Klana Gandrung (also called Sewandana) of Bantarangin.
This specific mask represents King Klana and is used most commonly in the Cirebon Topeng in West Java. The actor wearing the mask would be mute; instead, a dalang (controller) in the orchestra would speak his character’s lines for him.
