Central Asia, Nepal, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved and beautifully painted wooden mask depicting the goddess Kali with green skin, a separately carved tongue sticking out from her toothy grin, wearing a decorative diadem, her visage adorned with face paint/tattoo markings, her large eyes, lined in red with intoxication as is characteristic of Kali, staring steadfastly ahead with eye slits for the wearer just beneath. Size: 15.25" L x 10" W (38.7 cm x 25.4 cm)

This image depicts Kali as the slayer of Raktabija summoned by the goddess Durga who with her assistants had failed to do so. According to the Devi Mahatmyam: "Out of the surface of her (Durga's) forehead, fierce with frown, issued suddenly Kali of terrible countenance, armed with a sword and noose. Bearing the strange khatvanga (skull-topped staff ), decorated with a garland of skulls, clad in a tiger's skin, very appalling owing to her emaciated flesh, with gaping mouth, fearful with her tongue lolling out, having deep reddish eyes, filling the regions of the sky with her roars, falling upon impetuously and slaughtering the great asuras in that army, she devoured those hordes of the foes of the devas."

Provenance: ex-private San Diego, California, USA collection

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#126211

Age cracks, more visible on verso. Small loss above one eye as shown. Missing ear ornaments. Normal surface wear with minor paint losses as shown, still a wonderful example.