Mahakala mask

Buddhist ceremonies, Bhutan

10 inches, painted wood, cloth

This is an unused mask of the type made for actual use in performance. Unlike the tourist masks, it has very good quality cloth attachments, and of course, there is no artificial aging. This particular example was a gift from the Queen of Bhutan to Surgicorps medical volunteer Georgetta Harvey, as noted on a small tag on the rear.

Whether it is to protect village crops from hailstone damage or the victory of Padmasambhava over malignant deities, the Mahakala character is ever present in ceremonies throughout the Himalayan region. His third eye expresses the wisdom of omniscience. The five skulls signify victory over the five emotional obscurations.