India & Himalayas

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Himalayan
Himalayan

Q: Hope this picture is ok! Just want to know the origin of a mask I bought at a flea market for $20. It is wood and very light. Mickey, 540

A: It is from the Himalayan region, perhaps Nepal or Tibet. It is made for tourists as a decorative souvenir. There are no eye holes and the rear is painted black. I am intrigued by the hairdo, facial wrinkles, and the way the eyelids dip down. Perhaps someone more familiar with that area or the world could identify the character. C+ (corrected 9-10-13)

One Comment

  • Troy Yohn

    There are several stories about Shiva assuming the form of Bhairava and cutting off one of the five heads of Brahma… Maybe this a representation of Brahma’s cut off head?

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