Kami mask, Nepal, Himalaya

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1950: item #557554
0062

This mask belongs probably to the Kami people, one the lower cast.. This mask probably figures an ancestor with an exaggerated nose in contrast with their natural flat nose. The eyes and mouth are wide open, showing large well carved teeth. Brown long hairs are fixed with glue, traces of black and white mineral pigments. Semi hard wood, height 15 inches (38 cm). Age is hard to judge considering the absence of black patina but can be much over 60 years . The piece is nicely mounted on an iron cus... Click for details

Tribal Mask Gurung Peoples, Himalaya

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1950: item #557133
0058

Interesting mask representing an angry face. The eyes and the mouth are pierced through, big carved teeth on the side of the mouth express a fierce expression, a hooked nose enhances its fierce aspect. Black encrusted patina on the outside, whereas the inside shows a nice natural oxidized color which is an obvious sign of age. Age can be between 50 and 80 years. Some red painted marks can be seen on the forehead and on the ears. Very good condition. Hard wood. Height 11 1/4 inches (28 cm). The p... Click for details

Antique Tribal himalaya Mask , Rajbansi Peoples, Nepal

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1940: item #556940
0056

This is a Ramayana theater mask figuring the famous monkey god Hanuman. The mask shows also very old traces of green, white and pink polychromy and obvious aesthetic lines. The eyes and the mouth are pierced through. The mouth is very precisely carved with 8 teeth. Notice two holes on top of the head which were probably used to affix flags during performances. The inside is roughly carved, which contrasts highly with the precise carving and design of the face, indicating a real great age, possib... Click for details

Nepal primitive figure n°5, Himalaya

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1970: item #556910
0054

Statue of a local deity used to ensure protection of a house. These protectors are only seen in the Western district of Nepal. This one is coming from the Jumla area. These statues were placed in shamanic shrines or temples, or outside, close to bridges or springs. The present one is still in very good condition. Only the bottom of the left leg has been damaged by water, indicating that the figure was probably standing in direct contact with a humid area, inside a house, a shrine or a cave. The ... Click for details

Nepalee primitive figure n°4, Himalaya

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1950: item #556905
0053

This is a typical house protector, with a well balanced weathered erosion, indicating that it was exposed outside, for many years, likely on the roof of a house or in a shrine or on a peculiar power location such as a bridge or pass. Age can be between 50 and 70 years. In spite of profound erosion signs, the entire design is still in very good shape. This figure is part of a pair collected in the district of Jumla and shows the characteristic position of "Namaste", indicating respect and good lu... Click for details

Nepali primitive figure n°3, Himalaya

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1950: item #556823
0052

This is probably the other part of a pair of house protectors (see our catalog # 0053) with a similarly well balanced weathered erosion, indicating that it was exposed outside, likely on the roof of a house or in a shrine or on a peculiar power place such as a bridge or a pass. Pairs of figures or masks are much less common in Himalayan primitive art than in African art. However specific deities are known to protect twins and in some tribes (e.g. Tamang and Gurung), some names can be only used b... Click for details

Wooden Churning-rod holder 24 ; Ghurra

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1960: item #556663
0051

This a very stylized ghurra with a very modern design and a great symmetry with soft lines. Obvious signs of great age at least 50 years. Height 13 2/3 inches (34.5 cm) , very good condition. The piece is nicely mounted on an iron stand.

Wooden Churning-rod holder 22 ; Ghurra

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1960: item #556637
0049

This is a large scale Ghurra, built on the long stick model. The piece is covered with geometrical carving deeply encrusted with a light brown patina. Age is around 30 to 40 years. Height 141/2inches (36.5 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on an iron stand.

Wooden Churning-rod holder 20 ; Ghurra

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1950: item #556621
0047

This is a long stick design Ghurra, with great signs of intensive use. age is at least 50 years. Height 12 1/3 inches(31 cm). The piece is nicely mounted on an iron stand.

Wooden Churning-rod holder 16 ; Ghurra

Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas Pre 1950: item #556506
0043

This is a large size long stick model Ghurra, with old encrusted dusty patina. The design is simple and minimal figuring 4 strands of rope roughly evoked with a knot in the middle. Obvious signs of age probably over 50 years. Height 13 7/8 inches (35 cm). The piece is presented on an iron stand.