Nepalese Wood Citipati Mask, Based

Round-eyed, wide-grinned and meant to be looked at head-on.

This citipati mask, made in wood in Nepal in the late 19th century, shows a skull-like face. Citipati figures, associated with skeletons and the cycle of life and death, are commonly seen in Tibetan Buddhist and Himalayan tradition. The round, domed head has two open eyes cut through it and a broad grid of carved teeth along the jaw. The wood is dark and polished with age, with faint carved lines in the brow. It stands on a small base.

About 14 inches tall. It is amusing and alarming in equal measure.