A trio of large 61 inch hand carved Balinese masks, colorful Tibetan masks including Ganesh, Garuda, Narasimha & more, Rajasthani paintings & African chokwe masks are among the many new arrivals at
Lotus Masks. We’re so excited we want to introduce a few of the new arrivals to you!
Obviously, we aren’t able to describe all of our new arrivals in one blog post, so we invite you to view all of the great new African masks, Tibetan masks, Indonesian masks and Indian paintings in our online store at Lotus Masks. Remember, whenever you purchase an African mask or African sculpture, we’ll donate a portion of the proceeds to an African charity!
Enter the online mask store now.
Set of 3 Colorful Indonesian Masks 61″ (Item#2i4)
These large wood masks measure more than five feet (61”) from bottom to top. These masks will be the focal point of any wall in any room!
Hindu God Ganesh Wood Mask 20″ (Item#4n2)
Ganesh is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the god of
education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. In fact, Ganesha is one of the main Hindu deities. Ganesh wears a detailed crown and has a large om symbol on his trunk.
Colorful Tibetan Garuda Mask 22″ (Item#4n6)
This mask is of Garuda which is a mythical bird or bird-like creature prominent to the mythologies of Hinduism and Buddhism. The Garuda is also the national symbols of Indonesia and Thailand as
well as featuring heavily in India and Mongolia.
In Hinduism, Garuda as represented by this mask is the mount of god Vishnu and feeds solely on its enemy, the serpents or Naga. Garuda is also credited with bringing nectar from heaven to earth and has served as the mighty transport for god-warriors in important battles. In Buddhism, the
Garuda represents a race of mighty bird-like beings with four kings whose enemies are the serpent-dragon-like race of Naga.
This mask represents the bird-like nature of the Garuda, with great beak and ears. Even though the Garuda has the head of a bird, horns and crowns are added as with this masks to ascribe it the connation of being king of the birds and their forebear. The malevolent look and the brows of fire are placed to show Garuda as the devourer and immortal warrior.
African Chokwe Helmet Mask 12″ (Item#2a35)
This is a Chokwe mask. Tribes of the Chokwe can be found spread across Angola, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo. Compared to other typical Chokwe masks, this is a much more refined work of tribal art. However, it still incorporates the signature styles of Chokwe masks:
filed teeth and lined scarification motifs.
The cruciform tattoo made of triangles carved on the forehead is known as
cingelyengelye. The origins of the cross can be traced to the necklace crosses
made of tin distributed among the Chokwe people in the 17th century by Capuchin
monks from Portugal.
The tattoo over the cross extending to the temples is called mitelumuna or “knitted
brows” and it depicts discontentedness. The tattoo lines running under both eyes
are called masoji and they represent tears.
This is a female mask but it is used in the initiation ceremonies of young boys and is
meant to represent their separation from their mothers and their rebirth into
manhood.
Hindu Painting of Kali on Shiva 14.5″ x 11″ (Item#2p13)
Kali is full fierce form, with a garland of skulls around her neck, a skirt made of severed arms, Her saber raised and a decapitated human head in her left hand. She holds a long trident.