Museum of Masks & Figures in Russia

Jan 12, 2023

Moscow (Russia), Jan 12, (ANI/TV BRICS): Ritual masks, mask amulets, sculptures from Africa, Nepal, India and Brazil. This collection has been in the Bolysov family for over 200 years. And it all began with an unusual gift to her husband's ancestors, says the keeper of antiques. The collection of the family museum is constantly growing. There are more than 2,000 objects in it. According to the beliefs of African tribes, masks give strength and protect against evil spirits. The Hindu god Hanuman is also often asked for help. The curator of the museum says, in India it is customary to decorate one's home with his images. Brazil is usually associated with a riot of colour. But Tatyana Bolysova's collection presents a very ascetic sculpture from this country. The buffoon masks occupy a special place in the museum. Tatyana makes them herself. In Russia such attributes were used to represent people, animals or mythical creatures. So far, the fund of the family museum does not have a single Chinese mask, but in the near future, Tatyana plans to enrich the collection with artefacts from the Celestial Empire.