Key Features:
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* Genuine Master Level; All Hand Carved and Painted taking 2 - 3 weeks to finish
* Exquisite Artwork, Fine Craftsmanship, Inherited Technique
* Ground Opera is considered the living fossil of Chinese Opera, originated from the Ming Dynasty 600 Years ago
* Browse 100+ different Opera Masks, Ritual Masks and Festive Masks @ Interact China
* Home Furnishings products in Tablecloth, Bed Sheet, Door Curtain, Cushion Cover, and Home Décor items available @ Interact China too!
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Master Level Chinese Opera Aspen Wood Mask
This culturally rich yet very charming mask is a real charm for any home décor / mask lover / collector - it is a genuine Ground / Nuo Opera Mask, hand carved and painted by our award winning Craftsmaster Mr. Yang, who family has been in this tradition for several generations. Ground / Nuo Opera is considered the living fossil of Chinese Opera Art. It originated some 600 years ago, and still be found in some remote villages in the Southwest China. The focal point of this art form is the mask. It requires exceptional craftsmanship, artistic talent, and years of experience to carve an affectionate and vivid mask, in which to reflect the role's character and its represented spirit.
* Item #: GZHADXMJ101 - 106
* Measurements: approx. 15 x 32 cm each
* Weight: approx. 600g each
* Material: Solid Aspen Wood
* Production Time: 4 - 6 weeks
* Craftsmanship Level: Master Level
* Roles:
1) Liu Bei - General, then Emperor of Shu Han
2) Guan Yu - General
3) Zhang Fei - General
4) Cao Cao - Chancellor, then Emperor Wu of Wei
5) Diao Chan - one of the Four Beauties of ancient China
6) Zhuge Liang - Chancellor
* Role Descriptions:
1) Liu Bei, once a General and Warlord, was the founding Emperor of Shu Han. Liu Bei was widely known as the ideal benevolent and humane ruler who cared for his people and surrounded by good advisors.
2) Guan Yu, a highly regarded General, played a significant role in leading the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of Shu Han. He was respected as the epitome of loyalty and righteousnesss, and is admired by many Chinese people nowadays.
3) Zhang Fei, a General of Shu Han, was famous for his loyalty and his exceptional strength as fighter. He was also a short-tempered person, which sometimes put him into a disadvantage position in the battlefield.
4) Cao Cao was a warlord, Chancellor of Han, and later the Emperor Wu of Wei. Although portrayed as a cruel and merciless tyrant, Cao was a brilliant ruler and a military genius. He was also skilled in poetry and martial arts and authored many war journals.
5) Diao Chan was one of the “Four Beauties“ in ancient China. She was a singing girl but implemented interlinked badger games to alienate Dong Zhuo (a tyrannical warlord) from Lu Bu (Dong Zhuo’s adopted son), contributing to the emerging of the Three Kingdoms.
6) Zhuge Liang, Chancellor of Shu Han, was one of the greatest and most accomplished strategists of his era. He was not only an important military strategist and statesman, but an accomplished scholar and inventor.
* The Story: Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a historical novel about the competition between three rivalry kingdoms - Wei, Shu, Wu, during the end of Han Dynasty (169 – 280 AD). It is one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature and has deep influence in Chinese culture.
“Exquisite artwork, fine craftsmanship, inherited technique - this mask is no doubt a class of its own !”
***** Our Award Winning Craft Master *****
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Our Craft Master Mr. Yang Ding Kuen is in his late 50’s. He started his carving career since the age of 24, where his father propagated this very traditional mask carving technique to him. His works has been used in many Chinese musical plays, while earning numerous awards including the Best Prize for Guizhou Province Arts and Crafts Fair in 2006. He is also the committee member of Guizhou Arts and Crafts Association, and has various appearances in TV art programs, including those hosted by China Central Television.
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Production Process:
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1) Select good quality Aspen wood that are of right curve, size and shape
2) Carve initially for the overall shape
3) Carve sophisticatedly for exquisite details
4) Conduct high temp process for wood hardening
5) Polish wood surface for multi-layer colorings
6) Paint several base colors as main theme. Dry naturally for second layer coloring
7) Paint artistically for overall expression. Dry naturally for third layer coloring
8) Paint exquisitely for fine details. Dry naturally for polishing and waxing
9) Polish the mask surface for final waxing
10) Wax the mask for sharp, long lasting effect and wood protection.
* as 100% hand carved and painted, mask will not be identical but a duplicate as shown.
*** 100% GENIUNE OPERA MASK HAND CRATFED BY INHERITED MASTER, NOT AN IMITATION ***
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~ Browse Interact China for over 100+ different Opera Masks, Ritual Masks and Festive Masks ~
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