Central Asia, Nepal, Himalayan region, ca. mid 20th century. A striking cast-iron dance mask depicting the face of a Citipati, a skeletal protector deity in Himalayan Buddhism, boasting a lustrous burnish, created by coating it in yak butter fat and charring it over a fire, and embellished in shades of caramel and crimson. An enormous Cheshire cat smile dominates this haunting visage, Dim: 42 x 17 x 6 cm. Very rare object! Careful registered sending, combined shipping possible.