Vintage Korean Hahoetal Hahoe Pyolsin-Gut 3D Carved Masks In Glass Shadowbox

11" x 7" x 1.5". Excellent condition! Hahoetal (Korean: 하회탈) are 12 traditional Korean masks worn in the Hahoe byeolsingut talnori ceremonies that date back to the 12th century. They represent the stock characters needed to perform the roles in the ritual dance dramas included in the ceremony. Yangban (the aristocrat): The character with the most power, and therefore the object of extreme mockery in the plays. The eyes are painted closed, with deep dark eyebrows and wrinkles surrounding them. The chin is a separate piece from the top of the mask, and the actors can lean forward and back to make the mask smile or frown as needed. Imae (the scholar's servant): This character is portrayed as a jolly fool with drooping eyes to express foolishness and naivety. The forehead and cheeks are slanted and there are many wrinkles around the entire face and eyes. It is the only mask without a chin. Punae/Bune (the concubine): Punae is a forward and sexual character, appearing in the plays as the concubine of either the scholar or the aristocrat. She has a very small mouth with red rouged lips, cheeks and forehead. The mask is constructed with black hair painted on the top of her head and 2 cords/strings hanging from the sides of the mask.