Nuo Tudi Gong / Tudi Po (土地公 / 土地婆) Mask, Guizhou, Southwestern China, Mid-19th Century
Stunning mask depicting Tudi Gong / Tudi Po (土地公 / 土地婆)—the Earth Deity wearing a headdress with side wings
Stuccoed and polychrome wood, horsehair, very old patina, signs of internal wear, local restoration—see photos.
Guizhou, Southwest China, likely the Meitan region or a neighboring area
Early to mid-19th century
Dimensions: 24 × 18.2 cm
Tudi, the local Earth Deity, occupies a central place in the Chinese folk pantheon. As the protector of villages, lands, and harvests, he watches over the balances of daily life: thresholds, fields, ancestors, and communal prosperity.This mask is distinguished by its flat headdress with lateral wings, a structure characteristic of the Nuo (傩) and Dixi (地戲) traditions of northern Guizhou, linking it to the Meitan region. The delicately creased forehead, the powerful brow ridges carved in relief, the elongated eyes, and the supple modeling of the face reflect a remarkable mastery of sculpture. The expression, at once smiling and watchful, evokes the benevolence of a deity close to humanity.The mustache and beard, made of horsehair, enhance the realism of this protective figure. The very ancient patina,
signs of wear, and the quality of craftsmanship attest to a mask long honored during Nuo (傩) and Dixi (地戲) ceremonies.
With a rare presence, it embodies the guardian deity of the territory, the silent keeper of peace, harvests, and harmony in the village.
Provenance: Former Paul-Louis Couailhac Collection (1945–2025) A French expert in East Asian studies, a graduate of INALCO, and a renowned bibliophile known for having assembled one of the most significant private collections of Chinese ritual masks from Nuo theater in Europe. An exhibition showcasing his collection of Nuo masks was dedicated to him in 2026 in Issigeac, organized by the Ocarina Gallery.
Sold with a certificate of authenticity from expert S. Reynes and an invoice from Galerie Ocarina.
* Shipping costs via DHL to be quoted upon request.
Stuccoed and polychrome wood, horsehair, very old patina, signs of internal wear, local restoration—see photos.
Guizhou, Southwest China, likely the Meitan region or a neighboring area
Early to mid-19th century
Dimensions: 24 × 18.2 cm
Tudi, the local Earth Deity, occupies a central place in the Chinese folk pantheon. As the protector of villages, lands, and harvests, he watches over the balances of daily life: thresholds, fields, ancestors, and communal prosperity.This mask is distinguished by its flat headdress with lateral wings, a structure characteristic of the Nuo (傩) and Dixi (地戲) traditions of northern Guizhou, linking it to the Meitan region. The delicately creased forehead, the powerful brow ridges carved in relief, the elongated eyes, and the supple modeling of the face reflect a remarkable mastery of sculpture. The expression, at once smiling and watchful, evokes the benevolence of a deity close to humanity.The mustache and beard, made of horsehair, enhance the realism of this protective figure. The very ancient patina,
signs of wear, and the quality of craftsmanship attest to a mask long honored during Nuo (傩) and Dixi (地戲) ceremonies.
With a rare presence, it embodies the guardian deity of the territory, the silent keeper of peace, harvests, and harmony in the village.
Provenance: Former Paul-Louis Couailhac Collection (1945–2025) A French expert in East Asian studies, a graduate of INALCO, and a renowned bibliophile known for having assembled one of the most significant private collections of Chinese ritual masks from Nuo theater in Europe. An exhibition showcasing his collection of Nuo masks was dedicated to him in 2026 in Issigeac, organized by the Ocarina Gallery.
Sold with a certificate of authenticity from expert S. Reynes and an invoice from Galerie Ocarina.
* Shipping costs via DHL to be quoted upon request.
2 300 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Asian art
Condition: Condition of use
Material: Painted wood
Width: 18,2 cm
Height: 24 cm
Reference (ID): 1831439
Availability: In stock
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