Original Korean HaHoe Talchum Yangban-Aristocrat Hand-Carved wooden theatrical mask
Aprox. dimensions: 9" x 6.5" (real face size mask)
Very good vintage condition: no chips, no damages, no repairs!

Korean Hahoe Talchum "Yangban Aristocrat" theatrical Mask:

The Yangban mask, from Hahoe Folk Village in the town of Andong, represents Yangban, the aristocrat. Hahoe is known for its dramatic mask dance and shamanistic rituals called Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori, or talchum. The dances were one way the common people could satirize the arrogance of the ruling class. The character looks rather jolly, but sometimes has people flogged to death if they insult him. A skilled actor could make the mask look cheerful by holding his head high, or menacing by dropping his chin. The common people took great joy in mocking the aristocracy through talchum. In other dramas, commoners deride the aristocrats for their families' failings, and insult them with impunity. A comment to an aristocrat such as "You look like a dog's rear end!" would probably end in a death sentence in real life, but could be included in a mask play in perfect safety. There were originally twelve traditional characters in Hahoe talchum.