Anthropomorphic Mask With Grimacing Face - Nepal, Arunachal Pradesh, 19th-early 20th Century

Anthropomorphic mask with a grimacing face - Nepal, Arunachal Pradesh, 19th early 20th centuryThis mask appears to be carved from a natural form of wood that could be a root or a knot. This is a technique that is regularly found in Nepal and Arunachal Pradesh. Perhaps in order to materialize the spirit that lived inside the tree. The face is depicted in a grotesque and grimacing manner, the nose and mouth deformed. Beautiful and deep brown patina of the wood. 23cm x 21cm PROVENANCE: Acquired at auction 13/05/2022 Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr (Paris) Ex collection of Madame DL Acquired from the Nysa gallery, Paris, in 2003 LITERATURE AND MUSEUM: For masks carved from natural wood forms, see: - Musée du quai Branly (Paris), mask Inventory number: 70.2003.1.11 https://www.quaibranly.fr/fr/explorer-les-collections/base/Work/action/show/notice/383701-masque-anthropomorphe- "Himalayan masks, Lanfranchi collection" (2017) by Renzo Freschi and Luciano Lanfranchi Mask page 22 For masks with grimacing faces, twisted noses and mouths, see: "Himalayan masks, Lanfranchi collection" (2017) by Renzo Freschi and Luciano Lanfranchi LanfranchiSection 3 "grimacing masks" pages 123 to 137