Japan
Meiji era
Rosewood, glass eyes
Height 9 1/2 in (24.1 cm)
Provenance: Rob Temple, Belgium
This Meiji era rosewood mask depicts the shishi, the lion or lion-dog figure that appears across Japanese ceremonial and theatrical traditions as a powerful protective spirit. The face is carved with deeply undercut features, a prominent brow, and inset glass eyes that give the mask an arresting presence, the dark rosewood lending the piece a sculptural weight unusual among Japanese masks of this type. The shishi mask is used in shishimai, the lion dance performed at New Year and other festival occasions to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Rosewood masks of this quality were produced during the Meiji period both for ceremonial use and for the collector market that developed as Japanese decorative arts attracted serious international attention following the opening of Japan to Western trade. The Belgium provenance through Rob Temple, a known collector of Asian art, places this piece within the European collector tradition for Japanese material. The scale, material, and quality of carving make this a substantial example of Meiji period mask production.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Japan
Meiji era
Rosewood, glass eyes
Height 9 1/2 in (24.1 cm)
Provenance: Rob Temple, Belgium
This Meiji era rosewood mask depicts the shishi, the lion or lion-dog figure that appears across Japanese ceremonial and theatrical traditions as a powerful protective spirit. The face is carved with deeply undercut features, a prominent brow, and inset glass eyes that give the mask an arresting presence, the dark rosewood lending the piece a sculptural weight unusual among Japanese masks of this type. The shishi mask is used in shishimai, the lion dance performed at New Year and other festival occasions to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Rosewood masks of this quality were produced during the Meiji period both for ceremonial use and for the collector market that developed as Japanese decorative arts attracted serious international attention following the opening of Japan to Western trade. The Belgium provenance through Rob Temple, a known collector of Asian art, places this piece within the European collector tradition for Japanese material. The scale, material, and quality of carving make this a substantial example of Meiji period mask production.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
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