Middle Hills, Nepal
Late 19th century
Wood
Length 11 in (27.9 cm), Width 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
Provenance: Steve Brothers, California; MB Abrams, Santa Monica
Animist mask traditions of the Middle Hills of Nepal represent a strand of Himalayan material culture distinct from the better-known Buddhist and Hindu traditions of the Kathmandu Valley, rooted in the shamanic and spirit-propitiation practices of hill communities across the region. This mask, with its strongly carved features, deep-set eyes, and open mouth, carries the formal vocabulary of a spirit face intended to embody or repel supernatural forces during ritual performance. The dark, heavily worn surface reflects extensive use and handling over a long period prior to its entry into the Western collector market.
Masks of this type from the Middle Hills were produced for use in local festival and healing ceremonies conducted by shamans known as jhankri, who mediated between the human and spirit worlds on behalf of their communities. The bold, somewhat severe treatment of the facial features is characteristic of animist mask production in this region, where expressive force took precedence over refinement. The California and Santa Monica provenance connects this piece to the American West Coast collector networks that were among the earliest to engage seriously with Himalayan animist material.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Middle Hills, Nepal
Late 19th century
Wood
Length 11 in (27.9 cm), Width 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
Provenance: Steve Brothers, California; MB Abrams, Santa Monica
Animist mask traditions of the Middle Hills of Nepal represent a strand of Himalayan material culture distinct from the better-known Buddhist and Hindu traditions of the Kathmandu Valley, rooted in the shamanic and spirit-propitiation practices of hill communities across the region. This mask, with its strongly carved features, deep-set eyes, and open mouth, carries the formal vocabulary of a spirit face intended to embody or repel supernatural forces during ritual performance. The dark, heavily worn surface reflects extensive use and handling over a long period prior to its entry into the Western collector market.
Masks of this type from the Middle Hills were produced for use in local festival and healing ceremonies conducted by shamans known as jhankri, who mediated between the human and spirit worlds on behalf of their communities. The bold, somewhat severe treatment of the facial features is characteristic of animist mask production in this region, where expressive force took precedence over refinement. The California and Santa Monica provenance connects this piece to the American West Coast collector networks that were among the earliest to engage seriously with Himalayan animist material.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
