A COPPER REPOUSSÉ RITUAL MASK OF MAHAKALA, 19TH... Lot n° 11

A COPPER REPOUSSÉ RITUAL MASK OF MAHAKALA, 19TH CENTURY Tibet. Well modeled with a wrathful expression marked by large bulging eyes below bushy brows, centered by a third eye, a wide nose above an open mouth revealing sharp teeth and fangs framed by a curly beard, the face flanked by pierced ears suspending fabric tassels and surmounted by five deviously smiling skulls. The verso fitted with a circular padded tube sized to fit the face of the wearer. Provenance: A private collection in Val de Loire, France. The private collection of Régis Gonnard, France. Condition: Good condition with minor wear and manufacturing flaws. Few dents, tiny losses, some warping. The copper with a naturally grown, dark patina. Weight: 959 g (excl. stand), 3,094 g (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 30.5 cm (excl. stand), 48.5 cm (incl. stand) Literature comparison: Compare a related mask of Bhairava, Nepal, 17th-19th century, in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 1952,1101.9. Compare a related mask of Bhairava, Tibet, 20th century, in the collection of the Norton Simon Museum, accession number P.2006.02.09.