Ancient Himalayan Shamanic Ritual Necklace Amber Coral Tibetan Spirit Mask

Antique Himalayan shamanic ritual assemblage, constructed around a powerful organic “spirit mask” formed from a naturally dried fungus, selected for its expressive, face-like appearance. In Himalayan animist and shamanic traditions, such naturally occurring forms were recognised as spirit-inhabited and adapted for ritual use rather than carved.

This is a genuine utilitarian ritual object, created for use within shamanic practice rather than for the tourist or decorative market. It is very rare today to find such an example outside of a museum collection.

The assemblage is strung with a heterogeneous group of materials accumulated over time, including old trade glass beads (among them a millefiori example), a large genuine amber bead, coral, rudraksha seeds, shell and seed elements, deliberately fragmented animal bone, and a ritually adapted wild boar tusk suspended as a protective and apotropaic element. The irregular, accretive construction and heterogeneous materials are characteristic of lived ritual practice and are inconsistent with later tourist production.

The piece retains its original suspension cords and a woven red textile section, indicating ritual hanging rather than body wear.

Mask / fungal effigy width: 14.5 cm
Total length of the strung beads (excluding the woven red cord section): 77 cm

Date: 19th century or earlier (circa), based on materials, construction, patina, and ritual wear.

Good condition, with wear, patina, and irregularities consistent with age and traditional use.

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