19th C. Nepalese Wooden Festival Mask

**Originally Listed At $600**

Central Asia, Himalayan region, Nepal, ca. 19th century CE. A hand-carved wooden festival mask of a minimalist presentation with openwork gaps constituting the eyes, nostrils, ear holes, and mouth. The triangular nose protrudes from the center of the face, and the 'ear' holes are meant for an attachment strap for the wearer. Traces of pale brown pigment suggests this mask was at one time painted with earthy colors. The Himalayan masking tradition is not as well-known as those from Africa or Southeastern Asia, and today some of the original information has been lost due to fading oral traditions. Masks like this example relate to indigenous, animist traditions that developed in the harsh, wild environment of the Himalayas, and so they are often representations of local spirits. They were made to be worn in masquerades, glimpsed through light from lamps burning butter as oil. Size: 8.625" W x 14.9" H (21.9 cm x 37.8 cm)

Provenance: ex-Paul Harris collection, acquired from a Drouot Hotel auction, Paris, France

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#153474
Condition Report: Repair to area of left ear, with small chips and very light adhesive residue along break lines. Nicks and abrasions to face, peripheries, and verso, with dozens of stable hairline fissures, chipping and fading to original pigment, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits and remains of original pigment throughout.