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Miniature dog mask

Japanese

Artwork Details

Miniature dog mask
18th century
Japanese
dark reddish brown lacquer on wood
5 13/16 x 5 3/16 x 2 11/16 in. (14.92 x 13.2 x 6.95 cm);
Museum purchase for the Paul Leroy Grigaut Memorial Collection
1970/1.191

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Description

This mask is made for the lion dance, a ritual performance brought to the Far East along with Buddhism. Its small size suggests that this mask was made for a boy dancer. The movable lower jaw is a device to create a more lively performance.

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