Head of a mythological figure

This head probably came from one of two complexes, Candi Sukuh or Candi Ceto (candi means “temple”) in Java. They were among the last monuments constructed by the Hindu-Buddhist culture of Java that also produced the monumental and richly carved temple of Borobudur, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

One trend over the centuries was toward greater stylization. Here, the head seems to have been regularized into an egg shape and the upturned curves of mouth, eyes, and eyebrows have been made to echo each other. Some similar tendencies will be seen in the heads and facial features of the Javanese puppets in the next gallery. Ornaments, or perhaps flower buds, are looped over the figure’s ears and extend toward his face.