Arts & Crafts Home » Chinese Books » Art Books » Arts & Crafts

The earliest traces of Chinese folk masks, dating back to the prehistoric age, have been found in the rock paintings in Guangxi and Inner Mongolia. Besides, human imagery wearing masks was often the subject for archaic earthen and mural decorations. In the following dynasties in 3,000 years, Chinese folk masks have developed to an unprecedented level. Using local materials such as wood, paper, cloth, animal hides, and shells of bamboo shoots and so on, the folk handicraftsmen from various regions and of different ethnic origins have made masks of every color and design, fully displaying the charm of China's rich and varied folk mask culture. This album investigates the ethnic masks found or still used in Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Shaanxi and Tibet, and places them in three categories according to their uses as sacrificial, dancing, and exorcizing masks.
Contents:
Dancing Masks
Theatrical Masks for Nuo Opera
Theatrical Masks for Di Opera
Tibetan Masks
Sacrificial Masks
Exorcizing Masks of a House
References