Notes on Culture & Antique Art, Ethnic Decor & Vintage Fashion | Wovensouls Art Gallery
The masked dances of Himalayan Buddhist monks are fascinating and since 2011, I’ve watched them on four different occasions in various monasteries (Kalimpong, Matho, Stok, Jokhang-Leh ).
The Chamms dances I saw required the use of specific masks made of a specific type of Papier mache and wood. But I’d never seen a mask made of copper or metal.
So this one – The Zhang Bak – was new to me.
Made with great detail in metal, it is worn by monks specifically for royal ceremonies
Here is a video of the Zhang Bak being worn at a royal family condolence meet in which the visiting guest monks have worn this type of mask:
Not very clear but enough to offer us some understanding!
So just when I thought I’d seen everything, along comes this rare and unusual mask to wake me up from my complacence!
What a limitless field we work in!
More photos of Asset 1399 coming soon on WOVENSOULS.COM
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jm
July 2019