Nepal tribal Art Mask with Teeth. Cat or Leopard.

Nepal tribal Animic  Mask. Cat or Leopard.

Mid XX century.

hand carved wood.

original policrome decorations.

Large size:

Made in strong heavy wood, has a nice patina from age and handling (In hands give a nice feeling of age and solidity), signs of wear but is in overall great condition.

Discovered, like the arts of Africa and Oceania, by artists and travelers, the carved masks born from the ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Shamanic traditions of the Himalayas have aroused only recently the interest of researchers and their significance precise remains unknown. The masks of Rai, Gurung, Magar and Tharu represent “clowns and gods, demons, fabulous animals and local deities; some are used by shamans, others for divination