Wall Decoration Rare Antique Hammered Metal Shaman Mask – Himalayan Region – ca. 1900

Rare Antique Hammered Metal Shaman Mask (Tin/Zinc Alloy) – Himalayan Region – ca. 1900

Specifications: Artisan Hand-Bhammered Sheet Metal | Mounting Holes All Around | Exclusive Metal Ethnographica

An exceptional and extremely rare discovery within the international art trade: a legitimate antique, hand-beaten metal shaman mask (crafted from an early tin, zinc, or tin alloy) from the Trans-Himalayan region (Nepal/Tibet border area). This ritual mask dates from the late 19th to the early 20th century (ca. 1890-1920). Whereas 95% of the surviving masks from this region are made of wood, this metal 'armor mask' represents a highly rare ceremonial variant.

Wrought Ironwork & Apotropaic Symbolism

This brutal, metal wall object radiates an unprecedented minimalist primal power and serves as an unwavering eye-catcher in any high-end or modern interior:

• The Hammered Facial Features: The mask was hammered into shape by hand by a local blacksmith over an anvil or wooden mold. The almond-shaped eye sockets and the expressive, leaf-shaped or heart-shaped open mouth are cut out with brute precision. The bridge of the nose stands up powerfully in relief.
• The Garland of Holes of the Ceremonial Collars: Unique and iconographically crucial is the continuous garland of hand-punched, square and round holes along the entire outer edge. Historically, a heavy ceremonial collar of horsehair, textile, or leather scraps was mounted to this to completely conceal the shaman's identity during ecstatic dances.
• Mineral Ground and Temple Patina: The metal surface possesses a magnificent, weathered oxidation skin. It is covered with a layered, bone-dry crust of petrified lime and mineral residues, mixed with the jet-black deposits of decades of incense soot and sacrificial fats.

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