Mask - Nepal - 1980-1990 - Mahakala protector mask
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Current bid
€ 5
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Selected by Sarah Le Helley
Studied Asian art and art market management; researched art in Taipei; worked in auctions.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €5 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €2 |
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Nepalese hand-carved whole-wood Mahakala protector mask from the 1980s, 11 cm high, painted with mineral pigments, featuring a green face with a third eye, open mouth with fangs, five skull crowns and yellow Falun ear patterns; back finished in black primer for hanging, in good condition with minor aging signs.
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Description from the seller
This piece is a hand-carved and painted whole-wood Mahakala (Mahaykala) protector mask by Nepali craftsmen. It is a classic statue of an important protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism. The mask is carved from a whole piece of wood and hand-painted with traditional mineral pigments. The main body is a majestic green face. The third wisdom eye is erected on the forehead. The eyes are wide and glaring. The mouth is open to reveal the upper and lower fangs. The five skull crowns on the top of the head symbolize the surrender of the five poisons. The ears are decorated with yellow Falun patterns. The overall shape is powerful and vivid, and the carvings are rich in three-dimensional layers.
There are natural traces of aging on the paint surface. There are slight wear and tear on the protrusions such as the tip of the nose, eyebrow bones, ears and other exposed wood. There are small peelings in the local paint, which are signs of normal use of the old mask. There are no cracks or large defects. The back is painted with black primer and can be hung directly.
This piece is a hand-carved and painted whole-wood Mahakala (Mahaykala) protector mask by Nepali craftsmen. It is a classic statue of an important protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism. The mask is carved from a whole piece of wood and hand-painted with traditional mineral pigments. The main body is a majestic green face. The third wisdom eye is erected on the forehead. The eyes are wide and glaring. The mouth is open to reveal the upper and lower fangs. The five skull crowns on the top of the head symbolize the surrender of the five poisons. The ears are decorated with yellow Falun patterns. The overall shape is powerful and vivid, and the carvings are rich in three-dimensional layers.
There are natural traces of aging on the paint surface. There are slight wear and tear on the protrusions such as the tip of the nose, eyebrow bones, ears and other exposed wood. There are small peelings in the local paint, which are signs of normal use of the old mask. There are no cracks or large defects. The back is painted with black primer and can be hung directly.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Number of objects
1
Material
Wood
Country of origin
Nepal
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
11 cm
Estimated period
1980-1990
Title additional information
Mahakala protector mask
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