Large Citipati Hand-Carved Wooden Tibetan Skull Mask Nepal | Lord of Cemetery | Buddhist Cham Dance Art
In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Citipati — the Lords of the Cemetery — are the eternal dancing skeleton guardians whose legend warns against the dangers of distraction and the swift arrival of death. Their skull masks are among the most iconic and dramatic objects in the Cham dance tradition, worn by monastery dancers during sacred ritual performances that enact teachings on impermanence and the bardos between death and rebirth.
This large hand-carved and hand-painted wooden Citipati skull mask from Nepal commands immediate attention at 12 inches tall, over 9 inches wide, and weighing more than 2 pounds — a genuinely substantial and imposing piece. The skull face is painted brilliant white with a pink-magenta nose and open mouth cavity revealing two full rows of individually carved teeth outlined in red, while fine red line work traces the cranial sutures across the domed forehead in authentic iconographic detail. The hollow eye sockets give the mask an arresting depth and presence whether displayed on a wall or viewed up close.
The reverse is hand-gouged and painted in deep red-purple, with a knotted cord tie at the crown for hanging although it also looks great resting against a wall or sitting on an alter.
Details:
- Origin: Nepal
- Materials: wood, paint (cord affixed to back for hanging)
- Weight: 2 lbs, 2.8 oz
- Measurements: 12″ height; 9.1″ width; 3.6″ depth