Artwork Page for Mask of an Elder

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Mask of an Elder

노인탈 (老人面具)

1800s

Korea, Joseon dynasty

(1392–1910)
Medium
wood with horsehair
Measurements
Mask: 20.3 x 6.1 cm (8 x 2 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 1989.103
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

This wooden mask may have been worn by a dancer who performed an elderly figure for outdoor theatrical dance.

Description

The traditional Korean mask dance is a form of drama featuring the wearing of masks such as this one, singing and dancing. It was originally a regional term only applied to mask dances traditional to Hwanghae Province. During the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), the dance rose to popularity among villagers as a means of self-expression and liberation, often criticizing injustice of society.

Talchum: The Traditional Mask Dance of South Korea
South Korea offers a vast array of experiences that are both dynamic and reverent to its rich ancient heritage. With 5,000 years of fascinating history and culture, we offer you the opportunity to encounter Talchum, a traditional mask dance-drama that captures the essence of its Shamanic beliefs in various regions throughout centuries.

Talchum is a traditional Korean mask dance drama. Literally translated to “mask dance,” it displays the people’s close connection with village communities, which had long been the basis of Korean culture and tradition. 

Talchum was derived from Shamanic rituals to pray for abundant harvest, peace, prosperity, and protection against evil spirits. As civilization developed, masks gradually evolved from sacred objects used in shamanism to becoming forms of entertainment and expression.In the Joseon period (1392–1910), the dance rose to popularity among villagers as a means of self-expression and liberation. Talchum signified the spirit of the oppressed through dance. These masked performances told stories that criticized an unjust society or ruling class, and expressed the people’s desire for a reformed world. The main themes of Talchum include, first, a ritual to drive away evil spirits; second, ridicule of apostate Buddhist monks; third, insult the hypocrisy of noblemen; and fourth, tragedy arising from conflict among spouses and the joys or sorrows of everyday life.
A dark-brown wood mask features a tapered face with three wavy lines etched across the forehead. Deep, almond-shaped openings form the eyes above a wide nose and a narrow, open mouth. Small tufts of light-colored fibers line the upper lip like a mustache, and a long lock of light-brown horsehair hangs from the chin, curving to the right. The textured, weathered wood surface tapers sharply toward the jaw.

Mask of an Elder

1800s

Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)

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