Ritual mask from Tibet

A dance mask representing a protector of Buddhist dharma, dharmapala (Palden Lhamo?), made of painted wood. The mask is related to the Tibetan Buddhist cham dance tradition. Large and long-lasting cham performances are held in connection with the Monlam Prayer Festival. Monlam is the largest annual religious celebration, and cham performances are usually held in the courtyards of monasteries.

VK6133. Photo: Ilari Järvinen, 2020.