Archival Note Card | Chinese Opera Masks - #14

Black-and-white mask with pointed ears wears a red teardrop on the forehead.

This archival note card from the chinese opera masks series, no. 14, titled "the bat". It is paper. In many Chinese opera traditions, a red painted face is generally read as loyal and upright and a white one as cunning, though conventions vary by regional style. Narrow card in a gold border. Swooping black patterns surround pale eyes, tall dark ears rise at the sides, and a short grey beard sits above a scalloped pink collar with ring patterns. Script runs down the right. It is 4.25 inches long and 5.5 high.

Looks ready for either a stage or a rooftop.