The most visually arresting features of Chinese Opera are the bold & colourful masks worn by the performers. These masks hearken back to an ancient tradition of face-painting among warriors and, as with war paint, the colours and patterns bear symbolic meanings. The spirit and personality of each character is effectively colour coded.
White: sinister, evil, crafty, treacherous, and suspicious. Anyone wearing a white mask is usually the villain.
Green: impulsive, violent, no self restraint or self control.
Red: brave, loyal.
Black: rough, fierce, or impartial.
Yellow: ambitious, fierce, cool-headed.
Blue: steadfast, someone who is loyal and sticks to one side no matter what.
Gold and silver faces represent mystery and aloofness.
On stage they are elaborate make-up and costuming not real masks so that the players can sing and pantomime to extravagant and wondrous effect.
This detailed and brightly colored pair of mask figurines in fine porcelain are stuck on a red velvet lining and are presented in a beautiful silk covered box. The boxcontains the original makers leaflet.
Each mask measures about 10cm by 8cm
Box Measures about 20.5cm by 12.5cm by 5cm