Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (74)

Nuo masks of Tudi Gong and 2 Xiaopo. 2 Xiaopo: small masks for children. Very humorous set of 3, beautiful craftsmanship and nice backside patina.
Tudigong: the "God of soil" and grains, essential in an agrarian country. He is the main actor in Wunuo cult, usually represented with a smiling face, and long eyebrows and beard often missing or replaced later; when missing, we can see holes where the hair was fastened. Chinese character for "happiness" on the cap...

Hardwood Nuo mask, big and heavy, representing an unidentified character with a very serene expression. Coat of red lacquering on plaster, long gone around mouth and nose (the red color is generally used to indicate courage, loyalty and devotion).
Very good condition (a few little chips on the back along the edge), very nice inside patina; 26x17 cms. Beginning of 19th C, Hunan. (see bibliography)

Big and rare golden protection mask of Da Jiangjun, the" Great General", for hanging usually near the door, for protection against evils or bad spirits.
Rare representation with a very elaborate headdress (upper part missing); remnants of old pigments; ancient indigenous restoration on both sides (see photos). 31x20 cms. Jiangxi, 18th or 17th C, Ming? RM 181,184,189; MC 184 (see bibliography)

Nuo mask of Kaishan, He who "Opens the mountain", clears it; God of mountains with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the procession during the ceremony organised for the clearing of a new field or building of a new rice field; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Very old and heavy hardwood mask; 2 fangs and 2 growing horns, tongue, big bulging eyes and big nose; traces of old pigments, very good condition (1 crack on the back...

Nuo mask of the Fish Eater; extremely rare character; good condition; remnants of pigments, backside scratched (for ritual purpose ?). 26x14 cms. 19th C (see bibliography)

Very old Nuo mask of Bao Gong, Judge Bao, wearing his characteristic and beautiful hat with a kind of knot. Judge Bao is an historical character who lived during the Song dynasty and became the model of justice and integrity...

Nuo mask of Tang Shi Tai Po, venerable Tang lady, the Guardian of the peach tree (the peach of immortality); identifiable because she has the" fat face" of the Tang court ladies; backside scratched (for ritual purpose ?); 22x14 cms, end of 19th C. Hunan. (see bibliography)

Big "Tunkou" of Kaishan, he who "Opens the mountain", clears it; God of mountains with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the procession during the ceremony organised for the clearing of a new field or building of a new rice field; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Tunkou or "Mouth who swallows" the demons, the bad spirits; terrifying mask for hanging on the Nuo temple's door or above the main altar...

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a very elegant pair of shoes. Symbol of marital compatibility and fertility.
Good condition, beautiful patina. L: 4 cms. 19th C.TCT 84 (see Bibliography)

Brass toggle of a horse; excellent and vivid craftsmanship.
Beautiful patina, perfect condition (see pix). 19th C. or before. L: 5 cms. TCT 244 (see Bibliography)

Big "Bianlian" Nuo mask of Tudi Gong, the "God of soil" and grains, essential in an agrarian country. He is the main actor in Wunuo cult, usually represented with a smiling face, and long eyebrows and beard often missing or replaced later; when missing, we can see holes where the hair was fastened.
Bianlian means face changing: this mask has an articulated jaw which could be animated by the wearer...

Brass toggle of a male baby wearing an apron and holding an ingot.
Symbol of fertility and wealth, and expression of the desire for a male descendant. Very appreciated wedding present.
Excellent craftsmanship, beautiful patina, perfect condition (see pix). H: 4,5 cms.19th C. or before. TCT 245 (see Bibliography)

Big huangyangmu (rosewood) pipe ornament of a monkey riding a guardian lion, standing on a drum-like base; promotion and protection symbol. Carving all around the base.
Very good condition and beautiful patina; a tiny chip on the lower jaw and a tiny chip and a slight crack on the base, no moving seeds (see pix 4, 5, 6); no left foot: missing or not carved? Qing, 19 th C. H: 6 cms

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a monkey eating the peach of immortality and riding a lion, the lion standing on a drum (the ball inside is broken in 2 pieces). Promotion and longevity symbol.
Beautiful patina, good condition with expected wear and tear (see pix). H: 6,5 cms. TCT 114 (see Bibliography)

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a very simple drum with a kind of ball moving inside.
Beautiful patina, good condition with cracks (see pix). L: 4 cms. 19th C. TCT 132 (see Bibliography)

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a ringed bottle gourd with a stopper, representing the gourd of Li Tieguai, one of the Eight Immortals, containing the magic potion. Symbol of longevity and protection.
Beautiful patina, very good condition, 2 small chips on the edges (see pix 2, 3, 5). H: 5 cms. TCT 94 (see Bibliography)

Huangyangmu (rosewood) toggle of a bat (bianfu) eating the peach of immortality. Symbol of happiness and longevity.
The bat has one wing folded. Beautiful patina, very good condition. L: 5,5 cms. TCT 119 ( see Bibliography)

Very special huangyangmu (rosewood) two sided toggle representing a frog on one side and a headless human body on the other. Fertility symbol.
Beautiful patina, perfect condition. L: 3,5 cms. TCT 124 (see Bibliography)