Mask Item Number: 2669/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Mask of Senneem character, a nobleman. Round grey face with fur-like fibre eyebrows, grey bulbus nose, white eyes outline with black dots, white fur-like moustache, and red lips. Black cloth covering and ties are attached to the back of the mask and hang down. Mask backing is yellow and has a white label with printed red characters to one side.

Specific Techniques

First the gourd masks were carved, then three layers of paper mache were applied, then they were painted.

Iconographic Meaning

The character is an elderly nobleman who has become quite wealthy. He is now a womanizer who has run away from his wife and taken up with a pretty young woman, even though his wife stayed with him through the earlier hard times.

Narrative

Part of a set of masks made in Canada after the maker immigrated, but his family brought him the traditional materials to make the masks from Korea. The masks were donated by Mr. Han, Changhyun, in a ceremony held in the Great Hall at the Museum of Anthropology. Following the ceremony, Mr. Han and the Traditional Korean Arts Society put on a special masked dance performance.

Item History

What

Name
Mask
Identification Number
2669/1
Type of Item
mask
Material
gourd fruit, cotton fibre, paper, adhesive and paint
Overall
height 54.0 cm, width 28.0 cm, depth 7.0 cm

Who

Culture
Korean
Creator
Changhyun Han (Maker)
Previous Owner
Changhyun Han
Received from
Changhyun Han (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
between 2002 and 2003
Ownership Date
before May 15, 2006
Acquisition Date
on May 15, 2006

Other

Condition
good
Current Location
Case 77
Accession Number
2669/0001