Lot Essay
This mask started life as a mempo with the brow piece added later, however, this was a genuine conversion for use with great care and attenetion and not a late dealer adulteration.
Details
AN UNKAI SOMEN
SIGNED UNKAI, MITSUNAGA, CIRCA 1800
A heavy russet iron full mask in three pieces, the surface engraved with parallel striations [kirimen] and the cheeks overlaid with flowering plum branches, butterfly hinges between mask and brow plate, ears riveted on and pierced with bonji, the detachable nose bearing the remains of a moustache, the brow piece with eyes overlaid with silver with shakudo rimmed pupils, embossed with veins, eyebrows and wrinkles, itamono yodarekake black lacquered and laced with green sugake odoshi
SIGNED UNKAI, MITSUNAGA, CIRCA 1800
A heavy russet iron full mask in three pieces, the surface engraved with parallel striations [kirimen] and the cheeks overlaid with flowering plum branches, butterfly hinges between mask and brow plate, ears riveted on and pierced with bonji, the detachable nose bearing the remains of a moustache, the brow piece with eyes overlaid with silver with shakudo rimmed pupils, embossed with veins, eyebrows and wrinkles, itamono yodarekake black lacquered and laced with green sugake odoshi