Cham dance hat finial
Bhutan
Wood, varnish
13″ (33 cm) high by 2.25″ (5.7 cm) wide
Late 19th to early 20th century
This finial would have crowned the top of a dance hat that was worn in the Cham dance of the Black Hat Sect. As seen in the last photo, there would have been two flame cut-outs inserted into the holes on the sides of the skull. Please refer to Mani Rimdu Nepal: the Buddhist Dance Drama of Tengpoche by Mario Fantin.
$1800
