Ancient shaman mask, 17th century

Description

light wood, greyish brown patina, irregular facial form and features, eyes and mouth cut out, old original places of repair in the chin area, on the forehead and underneath the nose (fixed with iron clamps), sacrificial traces, pigment remains, traces of insect caused damage, usage and old age bestow the mask an impressive patina;
old mask, ritually used for a long time and restored again and again.
This particular mask was worn by the shaman himself, showing deformed or exaggerated features meant to surprise or convey a disturbing aspect of the ceremony. Like ritualists everywhere in the world, invoking a tutelary spirit, involved trance and psychic travelling. The shaman’s vision and experience enabled him to carve the faces of apparitions into wooden masks which were then transformed into animated things through the dances and rites carried out in secrecy.