Wooden Mask Identification

I'm inclining towards the fantasy idea, and find the faux antique finish very significant....and I strongly suspect it was carved in Indonesia, not as a traditional Indonesian character, but as a fantasy item for sale to tourists and export/import dealers; blending characteristics from various cultures.
It is possible one could find a duplicate, to verify this theory, by searching the online catalogs of importers; searching "Indonesia import mask" or such.

 

I think the "Framed in shadow box" is an important clue, which hasn't been mentioned. A few years ago the market (at least on the West Coast of U.S.) was flooded with shadowboxes, produced in China, for the decorator market.

At 5" x 7", and with no holes, as was pointed out, it appears to be just one of those shadowbox wall hangings, too small and not designed for actual use.

Copies of Native American baskets, masks, and other Native American artifacts were common, but I also saw fake "Japanese" masks, and other "tribal arts" that were presented in shadow boxes and made in China. I'm pretty sure that's what this is.

 

Excellent point!

 

With the number of fake "Native American" masks made in Indonesia, that's also a good possibility. But I have seen African baskets in the Chinese shadow boxes, and a Chinese friend brought several shadow boxes back from a visit to China a few years ago, which included framed "Japanese" antiques. Apparently the shadow boxes were all made in China, using items imported for that purpose. One thing that is always good to keep in mind, is that not everything is made in the area where it's purchased.

 

I think the mask is not important enuf...or good enuf....or big enuf....or old enuf to have warranted a long discussion.
That's why I stayed out of the mix........... oh....wait...... rats !!!!

 

It's odd just how many masks have those same characteristics. In fact if you look above at the examples that 2Many posted both the Japanese and Bali examples lack eye holes (and possibly breathing holes though the Balinese mask's mouth might be open)

After searching masks for a while It seems reproducing them in different sizes is a thing. Perhaps for limited wall space or wallet space

 

I've got no problem with that being the end conclusion. But my question is still the same....what is it a copy of?

Even it's a Pan-Asiatic mish-mash, it would seem there should be a mish & a mash to put together no?

And if it's just a rip off the tourists piece, then there should be more (which I'm happy to discover if they exist) so I'm looking...because I like the chase, even if it ends in "meh?".

 

Could you help me out w/ what faux antique finish means?

 

I mean that it has been painted in a way that will make it appear old, though it is not. This can be done by painting the finished mask all over with a light brown stain, then wiping most of the stain off; you'll see this at the top of the forehead, or on the chin, where the cream color has a brown over-paint. This is a standard trick in imports intended for decorative use, but is unlike real patina or real wear from age.
It is likely not a copy of anything in particular; the people who make such things very often simply make up the designs with little thought of particular ethnic traditions.

 

I completely missed that. Good point, that is a clue if ever there was one! China it is, and probably a fantasy faux Japanese mask.

 

The Japanese one has eye holes, between the eyes and the bridge of the nose. Not unusual.

 

Not necessarily.

Just to add a little to what Steve wrote, this is what I wrote before on that, in reply #18:

"The 'antiqued' finish generally indicates 1950s and later in Asian crafts. In Java that used to be done with shoe polish, other regions probably use something similar."

 

Thank you!

 

They may usually be there, but not in this case:

 

I better understand that comment now, for some reason I tied that in w/ the lacquering (though in retrospect that makes no sense : )

 

I’ll do that when I get home.

 

I think it's just a problem with the photography. If you look at the same mask on the artist's web site (REQUIRES FLASH: http://bidou-yamaguchi.com/index2.html ), it appears the holes are in the pupils.

Hard to see what with the black background.

 

This is the difference between authentic used (or at least usable) masks, and reproductions solely for decorative appeal. I collect ethnic masks (several each japanese, mexican, indonesian, african) so I always check out the ones I see. I only bring home the ones that seem to have age and that have holes (i.e. that could be used as masks). Deciding whether they really HAVE been used is harder.

There certainly is a supply of the smaller decorative ones. I saw some quite nice Japanese ones when I was visiting there. As you know, they are quicker and easier (and therefore cheaper) to make.

 

I don’t know Jivvy, I suppose it’s possible, but if those are eye holes, they would have to be a custom job to fit a particular set of eyes (the width of the set) and even then they would be almost useless.

They would require the wearer to squint straight ahead with their face pressed up against the mask and any stage lights would all but blind them.