BronzeIndia , 18th centuryDimensions: Height 48 cm Wide 39 cm Depth29 cmWeight: 5.500 gramsIn India the boar is seen as a symbol of fertility but also Vishnu once appeared as a boar to save the earth, which was sunk into the ocean by the demon Hiranyaksha who had gained invincibility against all creatures he could name. He forgot about the boar, thus Vishnu turned into a boar, killed the demon and carried the earth back from the ocean on its tusks. This intricate mask shows a boar with bulging eyes and decorated with jewellery and a headpiece, the small tusks sticking out from the mouth.