Magnificent Nepal Silver-plated Grenade & Lapis lazuli & Coral Varaha Mask - silver-plated copper, brass, adorned with filigree (silver) wire decorations, allover set with grenades, differently colored turquoises, lapis lazuli and corals, arranged in ornamental rows, mostly in cabochon cut, minimal scuffs, inserted bone teeth, Varaha is the third incarnation of Vishnu, which is usually depicted as a human with the head of a wild boar, according to the Hindu creation myth ''varaha-purana.'' Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a boar in order to defeat Hiranyaksha, a demon who had taken the earth goddess Prithvi and carried her to the bottom of what is the ''cosmic'' ocean. The battle between Hiranyaksha and Varaha is believed to have lasted for a thousand years, which the former finally won. Varaha carried the Earth out of the ocean between his tusks and restored it to its place in the universe, slight age traces, silver partly worn, Nepal 20th century, measures: c.23,5x23,5cm Provenance Private Collection Germany