Kalachakra Dance Mask from Tibet

• country - Tibet
• materials - gilt copper
• object - Kalachakra Dance Mask
• object date - 18th Century
• source - Kajetan Fiedorowicz

In Tibetan Buddhism, there is a tradition of offering the esoteric Kalachakra (“Wheel of Time”), a teaching ritual to the public through dance. A mask like this is worn by 10 monks, who dress as the 10 world deities. In their dance, they ask permission from the earth goddess to erect a mandala, where an initiation ritual will be held.