Mask - Nepal - 1980-1990 - Mahakala protector mask






Has over 25 years' experience in Asian art and owned an art gallery.
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 142216 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Nepalese hand-carved, whole-wood Mahakala protector mask from 1980–1990, green-faced deity with a third eye and five skull crowns, hand-painted with mineral pigments, 11 cm high and suitable for hanging, in good condition with minor aging signs.
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.
