Vintage Brass Khandoba/Shiva Mukhakriti(Mask)

This vintage brass mask represents Khandoba, a form of Lord Shiva widely worshipped in Maharashtra and northern Karnataka. The face is cast with strong features and a calm expression, framed by large, circular ear loops that are characteristic of his iconography. The head is crowned, and the design is symmetrical and compact, with a quiet intensity.

Such masks were traditionally used as mukhlingams, placed over a Shiva lingam in temples or shrines during worship. They provided a human-like face for the devotee to engage with during ritual, while the lingam remained the core symbol of the deity’s presence. Khandoba, as a folk-warrior deity and protector figure, holds a significant place in regional Shaivite traditions.

This piece remains in good condition, with visible age and use that speak to its role in active worship. It is a valuable example of regional devotional art and the material culture surrounding folk Shaivism.