This old tribal used Namaste figure originates from West Nepal and was made of heavy wood. It comes from an old Dutch private collection and is a really high quality object. The ethnographic groups in this area exist at the margins of Lamaistic Buddhist culture to the north and Indo-Aryan Vedic culture from the south, where orthodox religious influences have coexisted side by side with shamanism for centuries. The integration of traditional shamanism with introduced religion over centuries has combined to a unique cultural amalgam as can be seen in the praying human figures which adorned rooftops and shrines. Napalese artists developed a distinctive anthropomorphic physiognomy for their deities, typically in an elongated form with long or wide exaggerated features, and hands often shown in the traditional Nepali "namaskar" gesture of reverence and greeting. Condition: old and authentic (some wear and missing parts due age) as pictured, no restorations. Superb patine. The statue has a strong look and carving. Very collectable. No tourist piece. Careful registered sending, combined shipping possible.