Mask "Bhairava" or "Mahakala"

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Description

wood, polychrome paint, “third eye” on the forehead (“eye of wisdom”), flame-shaped eyebrows, carved with a crown of five skulls (symbolizing mental defilements, namely greed, rage, ignorance, pride and jealousy), slightly dam., abrasion of paint, crack (chin), base;
the iconography is believed to be correct for either “Bhairava”, the fierce terrific form of the hindu God “Shiva”, or “Mahakala”, the tantric god of Buddhism and defender of law. In Nepal “Bhairava” is worshipped as tutelary of the country.

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Comparing literature

Congdon-Martin & Douglas Pieper, Jim, Masks of the world, California 1999, p. 72

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