Snow lion mask, Monpa. Bhutan, Eastern Himalayas.

Snow lion mask, Monpa. Bhutan, Eastern Himalayas.
Wood, glossy black patina.
With 6 fixing holes (side, top, bottom).
Provenance: Former Dominique Rabier collection,
Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert collection,
Bibliography: Himalayas - Art et Shamans - Eric Chazot/ Liliane et Michel Durand-Dessert Editions :
LMDD, 2009 N° 79.
Measurements: 21,5 x 18 x 14 cm.

Zoomorphic mask carved in wood from the Monpa ethnic group. It stands out for its prominent forehead, large nostrils, very open mouth with tongue and fangs, absence of ears and with circular elements at the corner of the lips. It represents a snow lion, celestial animal of the Himalayan cultures. It symbolizes its snowy and glacial mountain ranges, as well as power and strength, audacity and joy, the east and the earth as a primordial element.

The mask belongs to the artistic and ritual tradition of the Monpa people, a Tibetan Buddhist community settled mainly in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, in the eastern Himalayas of India. These masks, carved in wood and used in ceremonial dances, represent mythological and ancestral characters of the Monpa culture.

Monpa masks are used in dances and theatrical performances that combine elements of Tibetan Buddhism with local traditions. These performances not only entertain, but also convey moral and spiritual teachings to the community. The creation and use of these masks are deeply rooted in Monpa cultural identity and reflect a rich artistic heritage that has endured over the centuries.

Similar examples of Monpa masks are in the collections of museums and galleries specializing in tribal and Asian art, such as the Historisches und Völkerkundemuseum in St. Gallen, Switzerland.