"Perchtenlauf" in Upper Austria.
The image shows a Schiachperchte (schiach = ugly), there also exist Schönperchten (schön = beautiful).

[lesmore49]

Quite a fearsome looking character. I bet there is some interesting history, perhaps folklore behind 'Schiachperchte ' and ' t Schönperchten' .

[othar]

Quite a fearsome looking character. I bet there is some interesting history, perhaps folklore behind 'Schiachperchte ' and ' t Schönperchten' .

Beside the optical difference between Schiach- and Schönperchten I am not fully aware of the history behind the Schönperchten (the Schiachperchten are far more interesting to look at ).

But Perchten are traditionally worn between Christmas and Three Kings Day during the 'Rauhnächte' to ring in the new year (with bells attached to the fur clothes) and chase away winter.

edit: If you are interested there are some more pictures of this event in my album.

[lesmore49]

I checked out your album, a nice series of fierce looking characters...one I noticed had actual fire on the tip of his horns.

[reh321]

"Perchtenlauf" in Upper Austria.
The image shows a Schiachperchte (schiach = ugly), there also exist Schönperchten (schön = beautiful).

Nice photo showing how people actually 'perform' at times.

[pichaser]

Dentation not suited for corn on the cob !

[othar]

I checked out your album, a nice series of fierce looking characters...one I noticed had actual fire on the tip of his horns.

Yeah, good looking fella .
The masks are all carved from wood but the appearance changed a little over time.
The more traditional ones are usually those with more bulk to it (like this one: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/70284-othar/albums/13463-perchte...ture128343.jpg)

[othar]

Dentation not suited for corn on the cob !

I think he doesn't mind, he looks like a meat eater to me.

[Kerrowdown]

That’s quite some mask, very well captured.

[othar]

That’s quite some mask, very well captured.

Thanks!

[jack002]

I'm sure he looks fine with his makeup on