Mask of General Liu Bei, deified as Guangong, the God of War
Nuo theater tradition, Sichuan Province, Southwest China
19th century
Wood with polychrome pigments
5 1/2″ (w) x 10 3/4″ x 3″ (d)
Nuo theater masks were worn by traveling actors/ dancers who would wear the masks to perform at ritual ceremonies to exorcise a village of evil spirits and ghosts. This is a highly unusual example of a Nuo mask as it has two faces: General Liu Bei is depicted on the outside, but beneath him is the face of Guangong, the God of War.
SOLD
