Japan

11.5 inches (with horns), painted wood

The Hannya mask, with its horns, fangs and evil laugh, is probably the best known of all Noh masks. This character was once a beautiful woman who fell in love with a priest. Her unrequited love causes her to turn into a monster who expresses the fury of a woman overwhelmed by jealousy and anger. Today they are a popular subject for tattoo art.

Expertly carved, this is one of the oldest and most beautiful Japanese masks I have come across. It is modestly priced because of extensive repair work. Both horns and the lower jaw are recent replacements as you can see from the back.