Central Asia, Himalayan Region, Nepal, ca. late 19th century CE. An rare shaman's mask carved of wood into an oval form with openwork eyes and mouth and applied black and blonde hair held in place with a strip of dried leather. Two other strips of dried leather form the mouth, cut out on one edge to create jagged teeth. The eyes are slightly recessed, but otherwise the face is smooth and nearly featureless aside from the triangular nose; the cheeks are a single plane, as are the sides of the face and forehead. Size: 6.75" W x 10.15" H (17.1 cm x 25.8 cm); 14.45" H (36.7 cm) on included custom stand.
The Himalayan masking tradition is not as well known as those from Africa or Southeast Asia, and today some of the original information has been lost due to fading oral traditions. Masks like this one relate to indigenous, animist traditions that developed in the harsh, wild environments 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.
Compare similar examples in Chazot, Eric, Himalayas, Art & Shamans, Paris 2009.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Zemanek Munster collection, Wurzburg, Germany
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#133718
Condition
Deep, rich patina on wooden surface and on leather. Small chips and nicks on surface. Hair is in nice condition.