This solid gold bangle combines a miniature sculptured mask with beautifully wrought decoration. In all Southeast Asia, by far the largest quantity of gold jewelry and sumptuary objects came from Java. Javanese gold is distinguished by remarkable workmanship, with intricate casting and fine finishing. Some was undoubtedly made for royalty—as is probably the case with this exceptional bracelet. However, gold was also undoubtedly worn by the well-to-do of many social classes, and may also have adorned some stone sculptures. Both commoners and kings wore large-scale ear ornaments—though, of course, they were made of vastly different materials. Javanese ear lobes probably were greatly distended, like the ones on this mask.

Overlapping lotus petals form the band of this bracelet—an unusual use of the familiar South Asian floral motif. Stylized sprays of leaves frame the face. The bangle was cast as a single piece, in one pour of liquid gold. Using fine chisels and incising tools, the goldsmith chased and engraved details such as the tiny leaves, and the outlines of the eyes.