Antique Painted Nepalese Shaman Mask – Middle Hills – ca. 1900–1930

Painted Nepalese shaman mask from the Middle Hills

Origin: Nepal, Middle Hills / Himalayas
Date: ca. 1900–1930
Material: hand-carved wood with surviving polychrome pigments
Dimensions: H 27 × W 22 × D 4 cm
Weight: 300 g

Red, black and pale pigment

The mask retains clear traces of its old painted surface. Red dominates the face, while the forehead and strongly arched brows are painted dark. Pale whitish pigment survives around the brows, nose, ears and mouth.

Form and construction

The face is carved with round eye apertures, an angular projecting nose, open mouth and separately modelled ears. The reverse is fully hollowed by hand and preserves clear chopping and chisel marks. A hanging fixture remains at the back.

Surface and condition

The original colour layer is heavily worn and locally lost, leaving a layered surface of exposed wood, pigment and dark handling patina. The perimeter shows old wear and small losses. The mask has not been decoratively overpainted or restored.

Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.

How we verify authenticity

Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.

Read the shipping policy and the refund policy.

Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.