Mask

anonymous, c. -1100 - c. -0800

The human face is only rarely found on ancient Chinese bronzes. This mask features large ears, bulging eyes, a huge nose, and an enormous open mouth clearly revealing teeth. It must have made a terrifying impression and probably served as decoration on a shield to strike fear in the enemy's heart.

  • Artwork typemask
  • Object numberAK-MAK-12
  • Dimensionsheight 16.5 cm x width 17.5 cm x depth 5.5 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Ornament for a shield
    • Mask

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-12

  • Description

    Masker met aan de achterzijde drie bronzen beugels. Het brons heeft een doffe patina.

Creation

  • Creation

    anonymous, China

  • Dating

    c. -1100 - c. -0800

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Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    height 16.5 cm x width 17.5 cm x depth 5.5 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (gift of Reijnier Flaes, 1949)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; donated by Reijnier Flaes, Oslo, to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1949;{Note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972

Documentation

    • Klaas Ruitenbeek, 'Het bronzen masker van Flaes', Aziatische Kunst 51/4 (2021), pp. 36-47.
    • Masao Shimada, 'A death-mask of the Liao period', Artibus Asiae XIII, 4 (1950) p. 250-253.
    • S.H. Minkenhof, 'An early Chinese bronze mask', Bulletin van de Vereeniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst. Nieuwe Serie 29 (1950), pp. 17-21.
    • Klaas Ruitenbeek, 'De macht van de dingen; F.C. Terborgh als verzamelaar van Chinese kunst in Peking, 1939-1942', Aziatische Kunst 51/4 (2021), pp. 3-33.
    • Klaas Ruitenbeek, 'Chinese kunst uit de collectie van dr. R. Flaes in het Rijksmuseum', Aziatische Kunst 19/1 (1989), pp. 17-24 (nr. 1).

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  • Mask
  • Mask