Central Asia, Nepal, Himalayan Middle Hills region, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden festival mask of a minimalist form with an elongated countenance and a carved-out verso ready for wear. The inverted piriform mask features openwork eyes above bulging cheek bones, an openwork mouth beneath an aquiline nose, a narrow chin, and a broad forehead. The dark brown pigment that covers the entire mask has developed an incredibly smooth texture, and nice patina has formed in some areas of revealed wood. The Himalayan masking tradition is not as well-known as those from Africa or Southeastern Asia, and today some of the original information has been lost due to fading oral traditions. Masks like this example relate to indigenous, animist traditions that developed in the harsh, wild environment of the Himalayas, and so they are often representations of local spirits. They were made to be worn in masquerades, glimpsed through light from lamps burning butter as oil. Size: 6.375" W x 9.7" H (16.2 cm x 24.6 cm)
Provenance: private Northern California, USA collection; ex-Paul Harris collection, purchased from Steve Brothers in Nepal
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#153473
Condition
Area of old loss on top of verso as indicated by patina. Minor nicks and abrasions to facial features, peripheries, and verso, with darkening to original pigment color, and wear to pigment on some raised details. Great pigmentation remains and smooth patina throughout. Old information label within verso.