Central Asia, Himalayan region, Tibet or Nepal, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A striking brass dance mask of a Citipati, a skeletal protector deity in Himalayan Buddhism, crowned by a maskette of himself with flames extending from his eyes and a cloud from his mouth. A reminder of eternal change, the vizard displays curved, openwork eyes, a slightly raised nasal crest, petite, pierced nostrils, and a huge, toothy grin. The mouth, area below the nostrils, and flames of the maskette headdress are adorned with liberal remains of burgundy pigment, while the rest of the mask boasts a lustrous, bare brass with scattered patina. Dotted, undulating striations are lightly incised along the bulbous brow, while a pair of ovoid ears flank the visage. Size: 7.9" W x 13" H (20.1 cm x 33 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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#173505

Minor surface wear, as expected with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice preservation of details.