Wall Decoration Antique Wooden Shaman Mask – Nepal – Late 19th Century – 24 cm

Authentic Antique Hand Carved Wooden Shaman Mask – Himalayan Region – ca. 1900 – 24 cm

Specifications: 24 cm high | 15 cm wide | Primitive Hand-Carved Hardwood (Verified Ritual Use)

We proudly present a rare and weathered piece of primitive and tribal art: an authentic antique hand-carved wooden shaman mask from the mountain regions of the Himalayas (Minden-Nepal / Hill Tribes). This fascinating ritual object dates from the late 19th to early 20th century (ca. 1890-1920) and is in a fabulously weathered, unrestored condition. A pure and raw object that bears witness to decades of monastic and shamanistic use.

Minimalist Primal Power & Primitive Form Language

This mask stands out for its abstract simplicity and brings a powerful, mystical, and authentic atmosphere to any high-end or modern interior:

• The Essence of Wrath: The deep, almond-shaped eyeholes and the large, oval mouth have been carved from the wood with brute force and rough blows. The nose is long, flat, and formed by two powerful, vertical cuts. This abstract minimalism makes it a sought-after statement for collectors.
• Layered Use Patina: The surface of the front shows a bone-dry, weathered crust of absorbed grease, incense soot, and ambient air. The deep shrinkage crack across the forehead and under the nose shows the natural, stable movement of the ancient hardwood.

Forensic Analysis of the Interior (Wear Patina)

The reverse side provides irrefutable, laboratory-worthy evidence of legitimate, intensive ritual use, completely free of modern tourist imitation:

• Fibrous Chiseling and Carving: The interior is deeply hollowed out with a traditional, manual curved adze. The wood displays the rough, irregular grain of a bone-dry, pre-industrially felled log.
• Genuine Wear & Skin Oils: The inner edges, and particularly the forehead area, are deeply dark, greasy, and polished to a mirror-smooth finish. This shine developed very naturally over decades through the friction of skin oils, other oils, and the shaman's sweat during ecstatic ceremonies and ritual dances.
• Worn Mounting Holes: The two original, hand-drilled mounting holes are located on the sides. The inner sides of these holes are continuously softly rounded, caused by the constant mechanical tension of the historical leather or rope straps.

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