Vintage Carved Tibetan Cham Mask of a Horse, purchased in Nepal (11325B)

Description

Wonderfully modeled with flowing forms, this carving demonstrates the gifts of Tibetan woodcarvers. One can only imagine how important horses are to Tibetans living   Horses have existed in Tibet on “the roof of the world” for over 4,000 years, bred with Mongolian ponies to produce small animals with the strength, endurance and sure-footedness required in mountainous terrain. Greatly esteemed, they thrive in extreme conditions where foreign crossbreeds don’t survive.

Tribute gifts to Chinese emperors, they were also exchanged for tea. Trade between Lhasa and China’s Sichuan Province was fruitful and was called the Tea Horse Road. Tibetan prayer flags called a wind horse are the symbol of a human soul in shamanism and appear in many Asian tribal, ethnic and folk-art, traditions.  A “wingless horse” is a flag that flaps in the wind and carries prayers to heaven like a horse flying in the wind.

This  mask was probably used in the ritual Tibetan Cham dance to bring blessings to the community.  Masks of gods, demons, were featured along with animal masks of  dogs, deer, rabbits, elephants, hawks, lions, leopards, wolves, monkeys, snakes, tigers, foxes,  yaks and, of course, horses.

Although Tibetan horses have a pronounced jaw line, straight profile, and small ears and eyes, this carver has used artistic license to emphasize this animal’s whimsy and strength. He has large eyes surrounded with stylized painted lashes with wide raised lids.The large flared nostrils and open mouth with displayed teeth emphasize its strength and stamina. Deeply carved rows of black hair form a beautiful pattern which is framed by the perky upward-pointed set of ears which are also a bit enlarged to display the animal’s alertness.

This vintage mask is wonderfully modeled with wonderful flowing and curving forms, and it is in excellent condition.