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Fine and Rare Noh Mask by Nakamura Fuseki 1824 Edo Period

Creator: Fuseki Nakamura
Offered by: Tishu

Description
A painted wood mask for Noh theater signed by the artist Nakamura Fuseki and dated to 1824, of Edo period. The mask depicts the face of a Heita, which portrays a victorious Genji general in plays like Yashima and Ebira. It was finely carved with a precise but stylized anatomy. The facial hair, including the eyebrows and mustaches were meticulously painted with ink. The mask is a great combination of realism and surrealism with a stern and forceful expression that appears both eruptive and passive simultaneously. Not only the mask has been wonderfully preserved, it also retains a gilt Kanji inscription on the back that reads "Da Zheng Seventh Year April Made by Nakamura Fuseki". This dates the make of the mask to the year of 1824, the Bunsei era in the late Edo period. A mask with such great condition as well as signature and date is rather uncommon. Also there is a brocade bag accompany the mask which bears Kanji inscription (shown in the last photo).
For another similar mask that depicts Kijiru-Ayakashi by the same artist but made in 1810, see collection item No:11002000 in Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art in Japan.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	Japan
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Wood with paint
Condition:	Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Fine antique condition with fine patina, minor wear above the eyes as shown.
Creation Date:	1824
Styles / Movements:	Bespoke, Asian, Traditional
Patterns:	Asian/Oriental, Handmade
Incollect Reference #:	403844

Dimensions

W.	5.3 in;	H.	8 in;	D.	2 in;
W.	13.46 cm;	H.	20.32 cm;	D.	5.08 cm;

Message from Seller:

Our collection ranges from Neolithic Art to 20th century collectible art and design. It spans 5000 thousand years of history and crosses many civilizations and cultures. Our aesthetic strongholds are Mid-century studio design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian Textile Art and Contemporary Aboriginal Art. The diversity is united behind our singular vision to seek for timeless beauty and driven purely by our passion

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