This mask is of the head of a lioness and is from Bali, Indonesia. It is carved from light weight wood and painted. Interestingly, like other Indonesian animal masks, there are wooden eyes in the eye sockets leaving only a small space for the wearer to look through. As it is almost impossible to see through the spaces, it is possible that masks like this are either to be worn on top of the head or are manufactured for the tourist market.

After carving the wood, an undercoat of white gesso is applied first and then painted on top. There is great attention to detail in the painting with the eyes, nostrils and mouth carefully picked out in black with paler colouring inside. A suggestion of fur is created with the mottled brush strokes of the face and the sense of longer hairs around the eyes, mouth and nostrils. It is a realistic and powerful image.

This mask is very different to the Barong lion mask that is used in dances, and that shows protruding teeth and eyes. Barong masks are highly decorated in gold, white, black and red, unlike the subtle mask shown here.