CIRCA: early 1900’s
This hand carved wooden mask from Nepal depicts Bhairab / Bhairava (also known as Mahakala), a fierce aspect of the Hindu god Shiva, and has been used in ritualistic ceremonies. Depictions of Bhariab are associated with both Hinduism and Buddhism and can often be found hung above doors or entrance-ways of houses and temples as protective effigy’s. The colours used in painting this mask were derived from vegetables or minerals, an age old practice. It has been in a private collection since being acquired by a collector in Kathmandu in the mid 1970’s.