Description: Carved in wood and painted in golden pigment over gesso with features highlighted in black and red ink. Gilt-metal eyes and impressed seal signature on the reverse The mask with protruding, large eyes usually represents the god of thunder, the god of heaven, protector of Buddhism, or a ghost. The prominent, flattened nose and big ears further emphasize the mask’s imposing character, the mouth opens wide to show both the upper and lower teeth. Condition: General age-related wear, requires small amounts of restoration to chipped lacquer -otherwise in wellpreserved, complete condition Provenance: From an important Austrian private collection, acquired before 1930 A strikingly similar mask was sold at Christie’s on September 14th 2011, lot 663.