Female face mask ·  India, Arunachal Pradesh, Monpa · ID: 3036814

Description

wood, remains of polychrome paint, smiling face with regular facial features, coiffure with middle parting and mark on the forehead, diadem-like headcrest, floral ear ornament, cracks (chin, diadem), abrasion of paint, coated with dark patina;
presumably depicting princess “jeimuh” (“lahmu”) or a female person of high social rank (“gonign” or “ama”, the mother). Used at dances of the ethnical group Monpa.

Comparing literature

Himalaya Masques, Suilly-la-Tour 2007, p. 46, ill. 28