Madhesi Animal Spirit Mask

Dark-faced mask with flared ears, red-rimmed eyes and a wide bared grin.

This animal spirit mask is Madhesi, from Terai, Southwest Nepal, and dates to the early 20th 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. Glossy black mask with pointed ears, a wrinkled brow and a broad snout, with red lines around the round eye holes and along the nose. A rim of small teeth shows along the lower edge, the paint dull in places. It is 6 inches wide, 8 deep and 8.5 high.

Grinning with real menace, and the red trim helps.