Old handcarved wooden mask with intense facial features. Made in Nepal around mid 20th century, most likely in the Terai region on the border of southern Nepal and northern India. On top of its head, two abstract snake figures can be seen.
A mask such as this could have been used as a spirit house by a traditional Nepalese shaman, but could also have been hung in a family house, to protect the house and family against intruders such as malevolent spirits and diseases. In any case, it would have been regularly fed with offerings of ghee or wodka and the smoke of incense. The snake figurines on top of the head, suggest a connection to the Naga spirits.
Sizes; approximately 19 centimeters wide and 32 centimeters high.
Being an old item already, this mask shows some signs of its age and previous usage, but overall it is still in good condition. As can be seen on the pictures, this mask shows signs of a previous woodworm infestation. When the mask arrived in our shop, this infestation had already finished long before, but nevertheless we took some extra care by treating this thoroughly once again.
Through both ears a hole has been drilled, making it possible to thread a cord through to turn it into a wallhanger. And also a simple wallhanging has already been made by attaching a piece of nylon ribbon to the back.
