The bird-god ‘Garuda’ is a half-human half-eagle being from India’s Hindu mythology. He is considered to be the ‘mythical mount’ of Lord Vishnu, the ‘Preserver’. The present big and old mask shows the head of ‘Garuda’, carved in lightweight, light-coloured wood, covered with fabric on the front and colourfully painted: the face section is yellow, with a black beard and large eyes, underneath of which tiny slits are made for the masked dancer to see through. On his forehead ‘Garuda’ bears the white V-sign of Lord Vishnu. Placed upon it is a three-tiered, colourful, painted ‘crown’. The big beak of the bird-god is red and the beak’s underside is currently attached with wire. Originally it was mobile thanks to a sting pulled from inside the mask. This way, ‘Garuda’ could also speak. An interesting object as concerns cultural and religious history, with some age-related damage: an earlier fracture at the lower edge has been repaired/glued (original repair), a minor fracture at the back of the upper rim, scuffed colour and chipped edges. Height: 43 cm; Width: c. 28 cm; Length: 34 cm (with beak). First third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Private Collection of Prof. Dr. Rudolf Leopold, Vienna.