Q: Handed down from great, great Japanese grandfather, don’t know history before that. Have matching Buddha face. Made from clay? Approx. 7 ins. Nancy, 631
A: How nice it is to have a handsome piece that used to belong to your grandfather. It is a decorative Japanese Noh mask that is meant for display on the wall. To be precise, it is actually and art object rather than a true mask that would be worn in a Noh theater performance. A professional carved-wood Noh mask would be rather expensive, especially a used one this old. However, decorative Japanese masks, usually made of clay or some other molded material, are also of value to collectors. Yours is of good quality and in perfect condition. C+
