Detail Views

The quintessential bridge guardian figure from the Karnali basin in west Nepal.  In many areas in the western region we find guardian figures such as this at crisis points - such as cross roads, bridges over rivers and crevices, and on roof tops as well.  They are either meant to be guardians, or to commemorate the dead - and in certain cases are no doubt intended as both guardians and memorial figures.

This one has the classic form one expects to see coming from the far west.  It exhibits terse, rudimentary carving, and is in excellent shape.  It is made of very dense and heavy wood.  The hands are together in the mudra of greeting and paying homage.