Vintage Nepalese wooden Angry Deity mask #2

In Tibet and Nepal, images of freightening faces of 'Angry Deities' can be found everywhere. In tantric Buddhism, they can be either the images of the fierce, wrathful aspects or forms of buddha's, bodhisattva's, deva's and deities (beings that have thus both a peaceful, friendly appearance and a forceful, horrifying form) or the images of dharmapala's; spirits and gods originating in the Tibetan pre-buddhist indigenous Bon-tradition, that are said to be 'tamed' by Padmasambhava in the 8th century CE and then sworn an oath to protect the buddhist dharma ever since.

They are portrait as terrifying, demonic-looking beings, often further adorned with gruesome ritual attributes and symbolic decorations such as (human) bones and skulls and other items associated with the charnel grounds.

But as terrifying as they might appear, they actually are often driven by compassion. They are very strong and powerful protectors and guides for those on the path to enlightenment, embodying the power and force needed to go forward and overcome and transform all obstacles on the way. They fight against all kinds of demons and evil and in Tibetan Buddhism especially against the enemies of Buddhism. 

Masks such as this very nice example can be found all over Tibet and Nepal at the entrances of temples and homes. They are the houses for these wrathful deities and thus help to guard off all kinds of evil. Being spirit houses, masks such as these are obviously not seen as mere decorational pieces on the wall. They are regularly fed with offerings from ghee, wodka or incense smoke.

Masks like this are also sometimes worn by village shamans during rituals and ceremonies. This can often be seen on the back side of them; they are constructed as masks that can actually be worn. 

Images from wrathful deities have also found their way into some classical shamanic lineages, such as the lineage of Spirit of Wolf. Here they are also associated with Erlik Han, Lord of the Underworld, and as such mostly used by black shamans.

This mask was purchased in Kathmandu in the 1980's. It is approximately 24 centimeters high and 18 centimeters wide. Due to its age and previous usage, of course it might have some damages and imperfections, but overall this mak is in very good condition.

Only one available.