Folk Art of Europe & Rest of World »
Shaman Mask Carved Wood
Ref: 2024
This is a primitive Shamanic mask with eye, mouth sockets and carved ears, which wraps right around the head rather like a helmet - it is made of thick light timber with holes for cords. It is roughly hewn and quite intentionally as it gives the appearance of a “wood or bark face”, a face half natural, part formed. It was used by sorcerers for the purpose of healing, oracle, augury and life crisis initiations. It came from a private collector who bought it in Tibet and brought it back here and comes from the Magar and Gurung Tribes. The date is uncertain, we were told "very old", it certainly has rich polish and patina which suggests either much use or great age (or both).
Tibet pre-20th cent.
H: 30cm (11.8in)
W: 23cm (9.1in)
D: 20cm (7.9in)
SOLD
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