~ Detail Photos ~

This garish mask from Nepal's far west is notable for the painted surface.  While it is nearly standard for the classic Buddhist masks to be painted, the painted middle hills masks are relatively rare. This piece also has metal foil on the teeth and a moustache of what appears to be horse hair.

The mask seems to represent a "sadhu" the wandering Hindu ascetics, who shun worldly existence for a life of austerity devoted to self realization and devotion to God.  The evidence for drawing this conclusion is the mark on the forehead -  a sectarian mark worn by followers of the God, Vishnu.  The yogi or sadhu is a common character in the middle hills masked rituals.