Shaman's mask with ear ornament ·  Mongolia, Evenks/ Buriat · ID: 3045025

Description

metal (copper), soot,

Face masks from metal were worn during ceremonies when the shaman, dancing aorund a fire, traveled in trance between the three levels of existence. The Evenks differentiated between an upper world (‘ugu buga’), a middle world of humans (‘duga buga’) and the underworld (‘chargi buga’). The reflections on the metal mask would have enhanced the spiritual tension among the spectators. Shamams communicated with spirits to ensure success in hunting, healing, and divination.

The object Shaman’s mask with ear ornament with the object ID 3045025 was last part of the auction 90.I Tribal Art and 90.II Contemporary Native American Art at November 17, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 12.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on Asian art.

Comparing literature

Doustar, Martin, Ancient Artefacts from Siberia and Beyond, Paris 2018, Fig. 22 Ivanov, S., Ancient Masks of Siberian Peoples, Leningrad 1975, plate 38