Central Asia, Himalayan region, Bhutan, ca. late 19th to mid-20th century CE. An expressive wood ritual mask, perhaps intended as a skeletal protector deity known as Citipati, with stylized anthropomorphic and zoomorphic features, all enveloped in a rich hue of espresso beneath a lustrous burnish. Intricately hand-carved, the vizard displays huge, openwork eyes beneath a protruding brow, a bifurcated nose or moustache that extends to the edges of his face, and a giant toothy grin with 4 curved fangs. An ovoid object incised with concentric circles is held atop his tongue, while several undulating bands adorn his sizeable brow and vertical indentations line his temples. Size: 7" W x 9.6" H (17.8 cm x 24.4 cm)

Despite their intense and overall frightening appearance, the Citipati protect the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) from forces of dejection and ignorance. Typically depicted in pairs, the skeletons or Citipati (also known as Chitipati) represent a pair of lovers known as the Lord and Lady of the funeral pyre, whose sacred skeleton dance symbolizes the eternal dance of death as well as the arrival at absolute consciousness. In the traditional performance of the Tibetan Skeleton dance at cemeteries, the two Dharmapalas (Protectors of Truth) are played by Monks. They are deities whose primary role is to protect the cemetery grounds. Beyond this, their presence signifies the ephemeral nature of this earthly world and reminds the audience members of their own mortality. The cult of the "Second Buddha," Padmasambhava, planted the seed for this practice through their rich mythological literature.

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173507

Light surface wear with some minor softening of incised detail. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice burnish and patina to recessed areas.