Description

This is a white opera mask from China. The mask is made of papier mache and the painted design hearkens back to an ancient tradition of face-painting among warriors and, as with war paint, the colors and patterns bear symbolic meanings. The white opera mask is associated with an evil, sinister and suspicious character in the Chinese opera. This particular mask represents the Meng Liang character from the opera "Mu Ke (Stockaded village," and from the book "The Historical Novel of Yang Family Mansion."