I have searched for a mask like this one to no avail. One of my very-knowledgeable friends can only say that it is probably Asian. I agree, but hopefully some of our viewers can help a little more!
Our mysterious Asian measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. The pictures were taken at angles that make the mask look wider than it is.
Not that this is important, but I couldn’t help but noticed how much this mask had been fussed over. Years ago collectors would fix up old, dirty-looking masks to make them more prestigious and “museum-like.” Some of those masks were authentic and came with reliable provenance. Nowadays we would never fix up and old mask. For that reason I think this mask may be quite old.
Please make a comment! I’m supposed to know everything about masks of the world!! Bob
3 Comments
chris
indeed, with this amount of lacquer on it, it is almost impossible to tell if it has real age or not.
Bob Ibold
Thanks for your comment. Authentic or not, could you guess the culture from which it comes?
Nate
Definitely Chinese. It’s a protective lion or dog; I forget the name.
Looks to have some real patina…later covered in lacquer. Looks used and authentic to me.
You can see similar examples here:
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/asian-art-furniture/more-asian-art-furniture/19th-century-chinese-mask/id-f_1309766/?_gl=1*6sdxbf*_ga*d1U3U3ZvdlFqU1B1bG1XWXB6Y0lFM2ZDeWlhNXVnbTZfV21Sejd2T1N3T05IYTk0aXBDR2FzS3ROZ09idzVCZw..
Or here:
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/asian-art-furniture/metalwork/carved-chinese-masks-on-stands/id-f_2604002/?_gl=1*3ii810*_ga*d1U3U3ZvdlFqU1B1bG1XWXB6Y0lFM2ZDeWlhNXVnbTZfV21Sejd2T1N3T05IYTk0aXBDR2FzS3ROZ09idzVCZw..