Gigaku Mask

Japanese

British Museum

725 - 794

A mask from the Tempyo period (AD 710-794), carved from solid block of softwood, prob. camphor, and once covered with gesso, paint and natural hair. Huge domed forehead, powerful realistic features. Was for use in a religious performance known as 'gigaku', about which little is known.

• Medium: softwood (camphor?)
• Art Fund Grant: £500 ( Total: £1,608)
• ArtFunded in: 1954
• Vendor: Howard Hollis

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