Mahakala mask

Polychrome papier mache head and face mask.Mask is painted blue with green and gold decoration.

Worn by Tibetan monks around Tibetan new year to perfrom the Mahakala dance to drive away evil forces from the temple. The character of this mask is Mahakala who represents the virtues of enlightenment, strength and courage. Mahakala is the chief Dharmapala, a protector of the faith, intended to frighten away the enemies of Tibetan Buddhism, the demons, who once were thought to rule Tibet. The main theme of the dance is the struggle between good and evil. Mahakala is great and positive force that destroys and clears away bad things as a way to help us see how to live a good life more clearly.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
HC.1999.1575
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 330 x 320 x 160 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
plaster, textile, varnish
CATEGORY
Education Handling Collection: Anthropology
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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