Copper dance mask decorated with glass and turquoises, Nepal, 19th century

A cast copper mask representing Bhairava with staring eyes inlaid with silver and gaping mouth and outstrwetched tongue made in sheet brass. Upper and lower fangs are of silver and upper teeth of shell. Hair at each side of the mouth is of inset black glass and small turquoises, similar decoration of the eyebrows in black glass and small turquoises. A third eye is represented in silver and two small brass earrings are inset with alternate rings of red glass and turquoises. The whole of the face is covered with small round red glass bead inset into round cloisons. Inside the reverse of the mask is a padded cloth fillet tied to the copper mask to cushion the wearer.

Bequeathed by Oppi Untracht

Formerly in the collection of Oppi Untracht and collected by him in Nepal during the period 1963-67.

Bhairava, the fierce form of the Hindu deity Shiva, is one of the most important deities worshipped in the Kathmandu Valley. Several large scale images there in metal and stone reveal the prototypes for this much smaller dance mask.

IS.28-2009