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Subject:Metal mask from Vietnam for identification
Posted By: Michał Szymański Sun, Sep 10, 2017 IP: 31.0.124.236

Some time ago we bought mask in Vietnam (Hanoi) in antique shop. Because seller knew only few words in Eglish she could not explain what we are buying. She told us (what is hard for us to verify) that this item is around 150 years old.

My question are:
- what is it? How was it used?
- where was it produce? Was it produced in Vietnam?
- when was it produced?

More pictures you can find here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B68VuZDaIVt5WlBSbFdTdThiemc







Subject:Re: Metal mask from Vietnam for identification
Posted By: Stan Mon, Sep 11, 2017

I'm going to say that it is African, possibly from Ghana. See pinterest link below.

Cheers,
Stan

URL Title :African Bird Masks


Subject:Re: Metal mask from Vietnam for identification
Posted By: Endre Tue, Sep 12, 2017

Looks like Chinese Zhou dynasty bronze work. Maybe a ritual mask.

Subject:Re: Metal mask from Vietnam for identification
Posted By: Endre Tue, Sep 12, 2017

I believe it is a Taotie mask from China. The very high quality of the cast, the geometric pattern covering the piece, the bird beak mouth, and raised eyebrows are what leads me to believe this. I also have not seen any African masks available to the public in Vietnam. I cannot give any idea of age. Very nice

Subject:Re: Metal mask from Vietnam for identification
Posted By: Michał Wed, Sep 13, 2017

well I expected it is 50 maybe 150 years old but from your suggestion it can be very old. I am very supprised.
I've looked on Taotie mask and there are many similarities with my mask but as I understand Taotie was used in the Shang and Zhou dynasty (almost 3000 years ago). Was this motifs used in later times?

Subject:Re: Metal mask from Vietnam for identification
Posted By: Endre Thu, Sep 14, 2017

Im not the one to date it. But, there is quite a bit of info about the Bronze Age of China, as you know. The patina does look a little different than the very very old ones, but I haven't looked at a whole lot of examples. I'm sure you could find a similar one made 200 or 100 years ago or even just yesterday. Definitely worth a closer look!


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