Indian Mahishasura Mask for Dussehra Festival

Yellow face, black grin, and a stripe of red triangles on the brow.

Craftsmen of Maharashtra, India, made this Mahishasura mask for the Dussehra festival in wood in the early 20th century. Masks of this demon figure are commonly connected with festival performance and storytelling around the goddess Durga. This one has a long, narrow face with a slight green crown band painted with red and white triangles. The brows are thick and black, the eyes narrow slits and the mouth a wide black curve. The yellow paint is worn and cracked, with deep carved grain showing through.

About 18 inches tall. Cheerful from a distance. Less so up close.