600yr Preserve Heritage: Chinese Ming Ground Opera Mask

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Feel free to view our Oriental Ethnic Arts and Crafts collections and Tribal Custom and Scenery of Southwest China in our online photo albums Item Description - GROUND OPERA MASK Since Ming Dynasty during the 14th Century.... Ground Opera originated sometime between 1368 and 1398 during the reign of Ming Dynasty. When Ming expanded its territories, estimated 200,000+ armed forces relocated from Central China to the Southwest Frontier. They stationed in remote mountainous 'Tun Pu' (Tun Pu means fortress in Chinese) and brought along the Ground Opera with them. It was played for both entertainment and army practicing purposes, and could be performed in any open grounds. (hence called "Ground" Opera). Theatrical Costume, Vivid Masks, Orchestral Music, Historical Fictions During the performance, actors are dressed up in theatrical costumes and wear masks on the forehead with a piece of black gauze to cover the face. Warriors will wear chicken feather on the head and small flags on the back. The performance is accompanied by orchestral music and percussions, and its storyline is mostly related to historical fictions. The "Living Fossil" of the Opera Art The traditional "Ground Opera" that originated from Ming dynasty has been lost except those kept by the villagers living in "Tun Pu" villages. This is due to the geographical isolation and hence they are able to preserve it. Nowadays t are only a few "Tun Pu" villages left and people living t are in their 22nd generations. They continue to perform Ground Opera during the harvest season and the Chinese New Year as a sign of rich and prosperous life. Ground Opera mask is a popular collected item by art research institutes and museums in many countries, including Britain, United States, France, Germany and Japan. The Mask The focal point of the Ground Opera is the mask. It requires exceptional craftsmanship and years of experience to make an affectionate and vivid mask, in which to reflect the role's character and its represented spirit. Mask Role Masks roles can be classified into 5 categories: 1)Warrier, 2) Officer, 3) Deity / Monk, 4) Clown and 5) Animal. In some cases, special symbols or patterns are carved to indicate the role's unique background, such as dragon, phoenix, tiger, butterfly, etc. For this CUSTOM ORDER Mask: Mask Number: Drama Play: Role: Approx. Size: Material: # 8 Stories about Sui & Tang Dynasties - Novel related to Sui & Tang historical events (581 - 907 AD). Qin Shu Bao - Lieutenant 33cm x 20cm Solid Aspen Wood * These Ground Opera Masks weighted 1000g - 2000g. Will ship them via registered air parcel using heavy duty shipping box (weighted 650g) with bubble wrap for good protection. * You have a choice of 70 different roles - check them out in our website !! ABOUT OUR CRAFT MASTER Our Craft Master Mr. Wu Ku Wei is one of the very few Tun Pu villagers who grow up in the "Ground Opera" family, which has been crafting and performing this art form over the last several generations. Mr. Wu himself has about 20 years of crafting experience and has achieved several awards for his works. He is committed to promote this art form and is working hard to propagate his technique to young Tun Pu villagers (according to the tradition, its knowledge and technique cannot be passed to non Tun Pu villagers). Delivery Time This custom order requires approx. 3 - 5 weeks for craving (depending on mask' sophistication, number of orders in queue and sometime the weather in drying the paint). You can request it be send by Courier Express (3 - 4 days with extra fee); Registered Air Parcel (2 weeks); or Air + Sea (5 - 7 weeks with discount fee). Satisfaction Guarantee We know Mr. Wu's craftsmanship is superb and are confident you will like his finished work. As this is a custom ordered item, the finished product will not be identical but is duplicate of the picture as shown. Satisfact... read more

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