Lot 153
153
A group of three wooden masks
RITUAL OBJECTS
A group of three wooden masks

BHUTAN, 19TH CENTURY

Details
A group of three wooden masks
Bhutan, 19th century
All three of dark wood with openings for eyes, two with openings for the mouth and two with incised facial features, with lustrous black patina and holes for attachment
10¼ in. (26 cm.) max height (3)
Provenance
Private Collection, acquired in the 1980s

Lot Essay

The mask illustrated at center is pierced with holes at the ears and was used either by shamans for divination or to decorate ritual mannequins, while the other two would be used in dance rituals; see L. Bradley, Masks of the Himalayas, 1990, pp. 7-15.

More from Indian Southeast Asian Art

View All
View All