Japan: Courts and Culture: The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace

This exhibition is in the past. View our current exhibitions.
JAPAN

Face mask (sōmen)

eighteenth century

Iron, lacquer, hemp liner, gilded leather trim, horn buttons, silk cords, horsehair whiskers | 35.0 x 37.5 x 13.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 37816

Fearsome masks with wrinkles and thick eyebrows helped give warriors an intimidating appearance. The throat piece protects this vulnerable area and absorbs sweat and condensation, which drains from a hole in the underside of the chin piece.
    PreviousNext
    PreviousNext

    Quick Links

    Official Royal Residences

    Royal Collection Trust is a charity caring for the Royal Collection, one of the world’s great art collections. Income from your visit helps us to conserve and share the Collection so that it can be enjoyed by everyone, wherever they are.