A Bhairava gilt bronze Mask - Nepal, 19th Century

modelled with fearsome expression with large, bulging eyes beneath furrowed eyebrows and a third eye, open mouth with exposed tongue and fangs, all surmounted with a foliate tiara with a skull and serpent border, the flaming hair arranged in rows of tightly wound curls, finely detailed in repoussé and inlaid with semi-precious stones  32.3 cm. long - Estimate: £800 - 1,000

Note: Bhairava, a manifestation of the wrathful form of Shiva, signifies the phenomenal existence that is to be overcome. Masks such as the present example were used during the Indrajatra. A related example from the Musée Guimet, Paris, is illustrated in I. Aslop, 'The Masks of the Newars', Orientations, September 1993, p.57.

Bonhams. The Jacques Desenfans Collection, 10 Apr 2008. New Bond Street