Bidspirit auction | 20th Century Collection of Six

20th Century Collection of Six Nepalese Polychrome Papier-Mache Devotional Masks - A collection of six small-scale devotional masks handcrafted from molded papier-mache and finished with hand-painted polychrome pigments. This group represents various figures from Newar Buddhist and Hindu iconography, likely originating from Nepal. One mask depicts a fierce deity with bulging eyes and a prabhamandala halo; the interior of this mask features a blue ink inscription reading BHAIRAB (photo 3). A second mask, finished in yellow with a third eye and mustache, bears a blue ink inscription reading LAMA on the reverse (photo 8). The collection also includes a red-faced figure wearing a tall, conical golden mukuta crown, which retains a small paper adhesive label on the reverse reading 25/= (photo 10). Another green-faced mask with prominent fangs and a red tilaka on the forehead has a yellow paper adhesive label reading Rs=35/= (photo 6). The group is completed by a stylized protector spirit mask with feline features in red, green, and pink, and a smaller green-faced animal figure wearing a crown. Each piece shows evidence of hand-modeling and varied surface finishes from matte to glossy. Several masks retain original hanging strings or integrated mounting holes. The mask inscribed LAMA has a significant vertical crack extending from the lower right jaw through the neck base (photo 8). The red and pink animal/spirit mask features a large vertical crack running from the top edge through the right side of the face (photo 15). General light wear is visible across the collection, including minor paint chips and surface scuffs primarily at the edges and high points of the moldings (photos 1, 11). Dust and light surface soiling are present within the recessed areas of the molded features. The reverse sides show natural irregularities inherent to the papier-mache manufacturing process, including some fine drying cracks (photos 3, 15).