From mask - Wood, Pigments - China - Nineteenth–Twentieth century

- 19th-20th century, China.

This mask is a striking example of ritual art from the Nuo tradition, a sacred Chinese practice dating back to the Neolithic period. The term “Nuo” means “to expel demons,” reflecting the original purpose of these ceremonies: to protect communities from disease and natural disasters through masked processions invoking a pantheon of deities—both benevolent and malevolent.
Carved from wood and visibly aged, the mask features pronounced facial elements: arched eyebrows, a strong nose, narrow eyes, and defined lips. The crown-like headdress adorned with black markings suggests a divine or spiritual role. Traditionally, the crafting and use of Nuo masks were reserved for men, who embodied the gods during these rituals.
Today, Nuo survives as a form of folk theater, but its masks remain powerful symbols of the connection between the human and spiritual realms, rich in historical and cultural significance.

- size cm: 26x15x11
- weight kg: 0.4
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