Rustic hand made Romanian mask. Maske des alten Mannes. Masque de vieillard.

Description

Romanian traditional mask area north of the country (Neamt).
It is handmade of sheepskin and fabric. Teeth are made of large beans. Each mask is unique in its way.
Traditionally mask is used for important celebrations and ceremonies designed to ward off evil spirits.
In the old days (more than 2,000 years), the old man masks were used in rituals and ceremonies that celebrated ancestors, elderly people, or referred to the protection against nature.
Over time, the masks served to celebrate the new year. The masked man represent the popular wisdom that became the truth-carrying voice told with humor.
Whatever the original meanings was, it is said that the land of masks in the house, on holidays, brings good fortune in the household.
The mask can be used for carnivals, performances, Halloween or can be decorative, it has an approximate size of 35 x 50 cm and weighing 450 grams.