A BRONZE MASK OF JUMADI, BHUTA CULTURE, 18TH-19TH CENTURY

A BRONZE MASK OF JUMADI, BHUTA CULTURE, 18TH-19TH CENTURY South India, Karnataka. Powerfully modeled with ferocious expression, the face bearing a parted grin with short fangs at the edges, below a neatly incised mustache. The bulging eyes centered by an urna incised with a stylized blossom, adorned with a wide torque with beaded design, his circular earrings and spiked tiara crowned with nagas. Provenance: German trade. Condition: Old wear, traces of use, repairs, nicks, dents, minor losses, casting flaws, and distinct remnants of red pigment. Weight: 3.2 kg (excl. stand), 5.6 kg (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 38 cm (excl. stand) 51.7 cm (incl. stand) Mounted to a modern stand. (2) This extraordinary cast metal mask of a lion-like spirit-deity Jumadi was worn by shamanic priests in the annual summoning festivals of the Tulu-speaking communities of coastal Karnataka. It exemplifies the masterful skill and creativity of traditional metal-casters in rural India who served the devotional needs of diverse communities. The making of these masks is probably very ancient using organic materials such as woven fibers and wood. It is unclear when cast metal versions began to be made, but none appear to be "ancient" or even "medieval." The production of metal accoutrements for the annual bhuta festivals may be relatively modern—the preserve of the sub-castes of market-town metal artisans, the Visvakarmas. Traditionally belonging to blacksmith and carpenter castes, some graduated to being makers of devotional images using metal foundry technologies. It is these communities who appear to be responsible for the making and supplying of bhuta metal ritual paraphernalia. Literature comparison: Compare a related copper-alloy mask of Jumadi, Western India, dated early 20th century, 43.2 cm tall, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2022.1. Compare a related brass Bhuta mask of Narasimha, India, Karnataka, dated 18th century, 47.6 cm tall, in the Brooklyn Museum, accession number 1996.24. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams New York, 18 March 2013, lot 52 Price: USD 8,750 or approx. EUR 10,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A brass mask of Shiva, South India, Karnataka, Bhuta culture, early 19th century Expert remark: Note the size (40.5 cm)