Madhesi Animal Spirit Mask (Monkey), Based

Rounded, animal-faced mask in honey brown with big ears and a long snout.

This animal spirit mask (monkey) is Madhesi, from Terai, Southwest Nepal, and dates to the late 19th century. It is wood. Some animist masks appeared ominous because their purpose was to drive away evil spirits by striking terror into them, often representing local demons that shamans had subdued into protective deities. Oval mask in warm amber brown, with two simple round ears at the sides, large circular eye holes and a long snout that narrows toward a small nostril. Fine wire loops sit at the edges and the surface is smooth. It is 8 inches wide, 7.5 deep and 16.5 high.

Gentle expression, long nose, and nothing to hide.