Very beautiful and very old Nepalese spirit mask, made from a piece of knobbly tree bark. Masks made from all natural materials, such as this amazing piece (and also for example the mushroom masks, that can be found elsewhere in our webshop), belong to the most ancient styles of spirit masks and are still used by animist tribes all over Himalayan regions, especially in Nepal. They are made by only minimal adjustments to the natural material, in this case only by carving eyes and a mouth in the tree bark.
After they have been made, the masks are activated and blessed with special rituals, inviting benevolent spirits such as ancestors, clanprotectors or landspirits into them with the task to protect the family, house or location against all kinds of evil and bestowing them with blessings. Of course, once the spirit house has been enlivened in such a way, it is very well taken care of with regular food- and smoke offerings.
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. Considering this very respectable age, it is still in great condition. The green lichen on the surface of this mask, combined with the sunbleached appearance of the wood, shows that this one clearly has hung outside for some years.
Sizes; approximately 26 centimeters high and 20 centimeters wide. A simple wallhanging system has been made by drilling holes on both side, through which a nylon cord has been attached.
Unique piece, only one available.
