Major Fine Art, Silver, & Antiques - June Day 2
Sun, Jun 8, 2025 11:00AM EDT
Lot 1947
Tibetan Carved Soapstone Mask
Estimate: $400 - $600
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $250 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,500 | $250 |
| $7,500 | $500 |
| $20,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 |
| $100,000 | $5,000 |
| $250,000 | $10,000 |
Tibetan Carved Soapstone Mask. Carved soapstone mask depicting the face of a deity.
Taotie masks are a prominent and enduring motif in ancient Chinese art, especially found on ritual bronze vessels from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. These stylized, symmetrical designs typically depict a mythic creature's face—often with large eyes, curled horns, and no lower jaw—rendered in bold, abstract forms. The taotie is believed to represent a powerful, possibly fearsome spirit, though its exact symbolism remains debated; some interpretations suggest it embodies greed or serves as a protective emblem warding off evil. Its repetition across ceremonial bronzeware, jade carvings, and other media speaks to its ritual significance, possibly linked to ancestor worship and the spiritual world. The taotie remains one of the most recognizable and enigmatic icons of early Chinese visual culture, illustrating the sophistication and symbolic depth of Bronze Age art.
Size: 7 x 7 1/2 in.
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7 x 7 1/2 in.