Carved and Painted Wooden Mask of Jero Gede
Date19th century
MediumWood, polychrome pigments, metal hardware
DimensionsOverall: 14 1/8 × 11 3/4 × 5 1/2 in. (35.9 × 29.8 × 14cm)
ClassificationsWoodwork
Object number61.21
DescriptionThe characters of Jero Gede (61.21) and Jero Luh (61.26) are a married couple thought to represent ancestors of the Balinese people. Jero Gede is of Malayo-Indian origin, while his wife Jero Luh is Chinese. Their physical representation is that of opposites, refined and unrefined. Jero Luh is portrayed with a pointed chin and forehead, small nose and perpetual smile. Jero Gede represent a human-like Barong portrayed with fangs and large teeth to indicate his power while his rounded nose and cheeks imply a jolly disposition. When Barong Landung is performed, Jero Luh and Jero Gede are the same height.These larger-than-life sized masks appear in the Barong Landung ritual performed around certain Balinese holy days or when an auspicious signal from priests determine that their apotropaic (evil-averting) abilities are needed. These masks would not be worn by a performer, but instead placed on the faces of large puppets operated by an individual selected to articulate the bamboo frame of the puppets. This causes Jero Gede and Jero Luh to tower as giants above the crowd.
On View
Not on view
19th century
19th century
19th century
19th century
Dated 1271 AH (1854 - 1855 CE)
c 1790 CE
19th - 20th century
