Description
The origins of Nuo Opera, performed in provincial villages in Southern China since antiquity, is found in spirit and ancestor worship and Taoism. Performances use a few dozen to 200 masks having distinctive facial features, decorations, regional and ethnic individuality and aesthetic diversity. Usually carved from poplar or willow which are light and less likely to crack, and willow is also said to ward off evil. Performed as rituals to exorcise malevolent spirits, Nuo presents religious and cultural values, explores ancient origins, the world of the gods and spirits and historical legends and folktales that vary by region and include stories from popular literature. Although mainly men perform, there are some female roles indicated by their masks, gestures and voices. Nuo Opera spread throughout China and was especially popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although operas are still performed in rural areas, there are few remaining troupes and during government campaigns against superstition since 1949 most antique masks were destroyed.(CITS) Authentic Nuo masks are now seen as treasures of antique Chinese wood ethnic and folk-art due to their traditional value and scarcity, are enthusiastically collected and are continually becoming harder to locate. Most Chinese-opera Nuo masks are brightly painted, but the age and heavy use of this one has resulted in paint losses. Different colored bases under the reddish-brown indicate it was repainted reused many times. The bright red lips have faded and areas around the eyes, mouth, nose and hair reveal what may be an original first layer of white gesso. Mask enthusiasts will appreciate the resulting layers that tell the story of this Nuo mask’s colorful history and it is in very good condition for its age and use.
Sources
Lan Li, Popular Religion in Modern China: The New Role of Nuo, Ashgate Publisher, New York, 2015
Vijith Menon, Chinese Masks: History and Meaning, updated Feb 28, 2018, https://www.flickr.com/photos/26021073@N03/6623547207
Margaret E. Poggio, Wooden Tujia Masks for Nuo Opera in the Chinese Minority Nationalities” Art Gallery at the Shanghai Museum, flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/26021073@N03/6623547207
CITS, China International, Nuo Opera – Behind theMasks, www.cits.net
historyplex, Chinese Masks, History and Meaning, www.historyplex.com
History of Masks, History of Chinee Masks, historyofmasks.net