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Masks of India & the Himalayas, including Tibet, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka

Tibetian Character mask

Ache Lhamo opera, Tibet

11 inches, painted papier mache, hair

The Ache Lhamo opera was developed by Thang Tong Gyelbo in the 15th century. He has been described as the Buddhist Leonardo Da Vinci and he choreographed a system of dances utilizing elements from the tribal mask precursors of the indigenous culture. Some of the character masks depict deities whose iconography was transmitted to Tibet more than 1,000 years ago from India. During great festivals, such as that held in the Autumn harvest period, sumptuous masked dances were held in monasteries throughout Buddhist Tibet.

Performers would hold this mask over the head and, as the eyes are not cut out, they would occasionally lift it off in order to see where they were going. Made of a very strong and durable material, this mask was made for usage and is not a tourist item.

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