Masks such as this very nice example are very typical for animist tribes living in the Nepalese Middle Hills region, especially in the Gurung and Magar tribes
They are made by first making a woodcarved model, which is extensively smeared with yak butter or ghee. The wet yakhide is then modelled over this wooden mould and then placed in the heat and smoke from a fire until it has dried in shape. Masks made with this technique can have a very wonderful (at least, we think so ;-)) smell of fire, smoke and ghee for decades.
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.
This mask was originally made for this latter usage; as can be seen on the pictures of the backside, it has a lot of holes around the nose- and mouth area, to make it easier to breath for the one wearing it. Also around the edges a lot of holes have been pierced, so a cord could have been added to strap the mask tightly around the shaman's face.
In later times, a simple cord has been attached to turn the mask into a wallhanging object.
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.
Sizes; approximately 28 centimeters high and 13 centimeters wide.
Unique item, only one available.
