Archival Note Card | Chinese Opera Masks - #26

White mask with black swirls and a gold knob on its crown, lowered over a dark beard.

This archival note card from the chinese opera masks series, no. 26, titled "golden orb". It is paper. Chinese opera uses painted face patterns, known as lianpu, in which color and design generally signal a character's temperament, role or moral standing. Standing card in a gold border. Bold black scrolls and small script marks cover the pale forehead, a downturned red mouth shows beneath, and a gold and amber ornament crowns the top. A long grey-green beard falls below. It is 4.25 inches long and 5.5 high.

Crown first, frown second, beard last.