Ancient carved wooden Monpa mask with a brown-black patina, Arunachal Pradesh

Detail of the grimacing mouth and deeply carved features of the Monpa mask

Monpa Buddhist wooden mask internal view

Hollowed reverse of a Monpa wooden theatrical or ritual mask showing ancient signs of use

Expressive face of an ancient Himalayan Monpa mask in wood with a dark patina

Ritual mask from the Indian Himalayas with pronounced brow ridges

Ancient wooden Monpa mask Arunachal Pradesh Tibet IMG_9268

Himalayan wooden mask Claude de Marteau collection lying down view

Detail of the attachment perforations on the perimeter of the Monpa mask

Ancient wooden Monpa mask Arunachal Pradesh Tibet IMG_9269

Ancient carved wooden Monpa mask – Indian Himalayas

€1500,00

Ancient carved wooden Monpa mask, originating from Arunachal Pradesh, in the Indian Himalayas, bordering Tibet and Bhutan.

Its deep brown-black patina shows visible signs of use on its internal face.
Like our other masks from an artistic tradition linked to Tibetan Buddhism and ancient Himalayan beliefs, it comes from the former Claude de Marteau collection and is sold with a certificate.
H 27.5 cm x W 17 cm x D 8 cm

1 available in store

Ref: 8629 Category: Himalayas and Southeast Asia Tags: Ancient Indian sculptures | wood - bronze - stone, Ancient Statues and Sculptures – Tibet and Nepal – Bhutan, Claude de Marteau Collection – Buddhas and deities – Early sculptures, Vajrayana Buddhism

Monpa mask from the Eastern Himalayas

This ancient carved wooden Monpa mask belongs to the artistic tradition of Arunachal Pradesh, in the Indian Himalayas, bordering Tibet and Bhutan.

Primarily followers of Tibetan Buddhism, the Monpa people also perpetuate ancient animist beliefs associated with pre-Buddhist Himalayan traditions. The cult of protective spirits and local deities thus intertwines with Buddhist ceremonies and ritual masked dances.

Their masks show affinities with those of the Cham ritual dances, which feature protective deities, mythological characters, and human figures with wrathful expressions. Indian ethnographic sources indicate that the Monpa carve masks for ceremonial dances. Major monastic festivals in the region, such as Torgya, associate these representations with rites of protection, prosperity, and good fortune for the coming year.

Carved from a single hollowed-out block of wood, this specimen is distinguished by its powerful brow ridges, elongated eyes, and prominent nose. Its open mouth and deeply hollowed features lend it a particularly intense expression.

Its deep brown-black patina, nuanced with reddish highlights, emphasizes the modeling of the face. The perforations visible around its perimeter appear to have allowed for its attachment during ceremonial dances. Observation of its internal surface, also marked by an ancient patina, suggests prolonged use.

These masks bear witness to the encounter between ancient Himalayan traditions and Tibetan Buddhism, combining sculpture, ritual theater, and spiritual practices.

We also invite you to discover our other Monpa mask in polychrome wood, whose colors and expression contrast with the dark patina and deeply carved features of this specimen.