Detail Views

For your consideration an old, weathered wooden guardian figure from the Karnali basin of West Nepal. Such guardian figures were placed at shamanic shrines, and power spots. This one displays some of the most characteristic features of these primitive wooden figures. The hands are shown with the palms together in the "namaskar" gesture of reverence and greeting. It also has a necklace or mala carved into it, indicating this is some sort of revered local deity/ancestor. It is old and has a lot of kaolin like encrustation, but aside from expected weathering, and related loss, the figure is in good shape.

Those with more than a passing familiarity with tribal art will note the similarity of these Nepalese primitive wooden figures to similar pieces from all around South and South East Asia, especially the Indonesian Archipelago, some areas of Oceania, and a strong semblance to the Bulul and Anito figures of the Philippines, as well as some Jarai figures from Vietnam or korwar from PNG. These types of cross cultural parallels among peoples separated by vast geographic distances are very interesting. It brings to mind the concept of subconscious archetypes that are an innate psychological component of humanity, and which therefore reveal themselves with only minor variation amongst groups separated in both time and space. I think this is why so many of us are attracted to tribal / primitive art - it strikes a very deep chord within our being. We connect with our common humanity, and sense something closer to essence - uncorrupted by generations of urban domestication and an overdeveloped material environment - the "affliction of comfort" so many of us in the west are stricken with. We catch a glimpse of our own reflection, but an untamed and raw likeness, that refreshes and invigorates us.