A JAPANESE SAISHIKI (PAINTED WOOD) MASK OF A NIŌ (BUDDHIST GUARDIAN KING)

A JAPANESE SAISHIKI (PAINTED WOOD) MASK OF A NIŌ (BUDDHIST GUARDIAN KING)
MEIJI ERA, 19TH CENTURY

Possibly carved in hinoki (cypress wood), the surface painted in red pigment over gesso; the deity is depicted grimacing with a furrowed brow, the reverse with a three-character signature, possibly for Tessai, and an unidentified paper collection label; 6cm.

Provenance: from the Mark and Elizabeth Harding Collection, South Africa.