help identifying Indian mask

I recently purchased this from an estate sale and was wondering if anyone knows age or any other info. From what I found online it may be from south India and made from bronze dimensions are 14in tall, 10 in wide. Thanks

 

toothy grin, eh !

 

I do not have personal experience with this particular type of object, but based on online research it appears to be (or be based on) a "bhuta" mask from "Tulu Nadu, the Tulu-speaking coastal region of Karnataka state in southwestern India". Bhuta is described as a local cult/religion based on the worship of spirits and deities known as bhuta. This introduction to an exhibition of bhuta masks and ritual objects is the best explanation I have found so far:

https://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/bhuta/intro/index.html

http://www.indianheritage.biz/files/Bhuta-FSTP-EN.pdf

The metal masks (either bronze or brass) are worn during ceremonies where the dancer impersonates (or is possessed by) a particular bhuta. Masks may become damaged when in use, and older examples sometimes show repairs on the more fragile portions. Afterward, the masks are housed in temples, where they are venerated as embodiments of the bhuta. When a mask is retired it may be ritually disposed of or, more recently, sold to art dealers.

The author points out that it is difficult to date the masks. There has been little research on stylistic changes over time, or studies of the metallurgy or casting techniques. He notes that it is also very difficult to identify which bhuta a particular mask is meant to represent, as " the same mask can represent one bhuta or another one, depending on the temple in which it will be worshipped".

While the masks are described as cast bronze/brass, as yours is, the examples I have found online appear to be thinner metal than yours. But it is difficult to tell. You would need to judge whether yours seems to be something that could be worn over the face of a dancer, based on weight and evidence of any methods of attachment. The cross bar on the back of yours obviously prevents it being worn - but there is the possibility that the bar was added later to make it more suitable for display. It would be important to closely examine the places where the bar is attached, to see if it appears to be brazed on later or if it seems to be the same age as the rest of the casting. I have not been able to find any published views of the back of a genuine bhuta mask.

The other examples I have been looking at appear to have more decorative features around the face. Yours seems to be a simplified version. This is one of the reasons I suspect it is a more recent creation, perhaps made for direct sale, rather than a mask that was made and used in the original context of bhuta worship.


https://www.liveauctioneers.com/ite...ntury-a-rare-and-attractive-bron#&gid=1&pid=1


https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20903/lot/52/


https://www.saffronart.com/auctions/postwork.aspx?l=23791


https://www.saffronart.com/customauctions/PostWork.aspx?l=14087


https://www.philamuseum.org/collection/object/277332

 

Having done what I thought was due diligence, I just came across this one being offered on ebay - clearly a close cousin of the one you have. They describe it as weighing close to 6 lbs - too heavy to be worn as a mask. Perhaps an argument could be made that they were cast solely for display in a temple, but I think all of my previous comments still apply. If anything, this one makes me more inclined to identify them as modern castings made for sale. Obviously attractive, but decorative, objects.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/3135155970...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

Thanks for the help