Tiger mask "byagra shambara" or "byagrinee devi", ~ 1850-1870

Description

wood, softly luminous blackish brown patina, traces of red and white pigment, helmet-shaped, crowned by five small skulls, the “third eye” on the forehead, slightly dam., cracks, base;
present mask was used at buddhist ritual “cham” dance, which has been handed over from monks to one another for over 1200 years. Its aim is bringing blessings to the whole community, but learning it is far from simple: it takes monks years to learn its steps. The Tibetan masks used during this rite stand for gods and demons, as well as animals. They often have an enraged or menacing look, in order to strike terror into evil spirits and to chase them off. The masks wear a crown of five small skulls, which represent five negative human feelings, which the gods turn into positive ones: rage, ignorance, jealousy, attachment and pride thus grow into their opposites.