East Asia, Japan, Edo to Meiji era, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A remarkable plaster mask of the Buddha made vis the kanshitsu technique (mixed wood fiber, lacquer as a binder and plaster and pressed into a mold) with remains of gilt and pigments, the eyes pierced for the wearer to see through, and a wire is threaded through the suspension holes. The coiled hair nodules have remains a of blue pigment - blue-black hair was sometimes listed as a physical characteristic of the Buddha, and the rest of the surface has a golden and red lacquer that would have covered the rest of his visage. Buddhist masks such as this were worn during ritual processions and during Noh theater. Size: 10.45" L x 8.5" W (26.5 cm x 21.6 cm)

Provenance: private Rancho Mirage, California, USA collection, by inheritance in 2020; ex-Dr. TDR Berreth, California, USA, acquired before 1982

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#179126

Losses to plaster and stucco layers and chips to interior. Chips and small losses to peripheries and hair nodules. Stable hairline fissure on ear. Losses to painted pigments and gilt. Light mineral deposits in recessed areas.