Vintage Carved Tibetan Cham Mask of a Horse, Nepal (11325B-GHL) $325

Description

Deeply carved rows of black hair atop the horse’s head form a carved pattern framed by the upward-pointed ears that emphasize the horse’s alertness. Wonderfully modeled with flowing forms, this carving demonstrates the gifts of Tibetan woodcarvers. One can only imagine how important horses are to Tibetans living on “the roof of the world.” Without them they would have had real problems. Nepal trekkers can attest to the horse’s importance to Himalayan commerce, as they are equivalent to trucks moving goods on a highway. Horses have existed in Tibet for over 4,000 years, were interbred with Mongolian ponies and produced 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. The ritual Tibetan Buddhism Cham dance brings blessings to the community where masks of gods, demons and animals appear. Tibetan Cham dance has many animal masks and, of course, includes the horse. In excellent condition, this vintage mask is part of the VA Tribal Art Collection.