Korean mask for use in dance performances widely known as talchum or Yangju Pyolsandae Nori. Though these dances vary by region, they all share common themes such as exorcism, ritualistic dance, satire, and parodies of wealthy upperclassmen and would often be performed on the day of Buddha's birth and other seasonal festivals. The mask, called Somu (young shaman), is hand-carved wood with visible chisel marks on the inside, along with Korean and Japanese kanji signatures, with a black cotton hood attached, a white painted face, red dots on its cheeks and foreheads, black dotted eyebrows, and a red mouth curled into a grimace. Early 20th century Size: 9" tall, 7.25" wide