Masks such as this beautiful example are typical for animist tribes in eastern-Nepal, especially Rai, Tharu and Terai people. They are made from a single large funghi, from Ganoderma or Fomes species, by minimal adjustments; only eyes and mouth are carved out. A nose is sometimes also carved or, as is the case here, made from a different piece of mushroom and attached to the mask.
Masks like this are used for protection; they are hung in houses near doors or windows to protect the house and family against malevolent spirits and diseases. They are the houses of benevolent spirits such as the family's ancestors and are regularly fed with food- or drink offerings and the smoke of incense.
This item is a particularly beautiful example of such a mask. It is, especially considering its age and of course fragile nature, in excellent condition. It has a beautiful, balanced shape in which the natural structure of the funghi can still be very well recognised. This mask measures approximately 24 centimeters wide and 19 centimeters high. Over time it has developed a beautiful dark, almost glossy, patina.
The exact age of this mask is hard to say, but it can roughly be determined somewhere around the middle of the 20th century, or maybe even a little bit earlier.
