Masks such as this very nice example are used by animist tribes all over Nepal and parts of Tibet.
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 offerings of ghee or wodka and the smoke of incense. Sometimes they are worn by village shamans during ritual or healing ceremonies.
Masks like this are often enlivened and blessed by smearing red ochre on them. The residue of which can also be seen on this mask here in our shop, indicating that this mask has indeed been used as an active spirit house before. It should thus be treated with the utmost care and respect.
This handcarved mask comes from Nepal. The frontside is in good condition and has gained a nice patina of ageing over the years. At the backside and side some damages can be seen, amongst which a halfhearted, not finished saw cut. These damages however do not weaken the overall structure and stability of the mask.
Sizes; approximately 20 centimeters wide and 32 centimeters high. During previous usage a simple hanging system with a piece of plastic cord has been made, but this is not in good condition anymore. So it would be best to attach some sort of new cord before hanging it on your wall.
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.
