Maskette
Life Story
This reddish-grey maskette has punched decoration around the eyes and mouth, and in the nostrils, made with a rectangular-section stick. Evidence of breakage on the flat back indicates that it was formerly linked to a larger sculpture by a transverse bar at the level of the eyes. This piece may be a simple head from a figurine, as illustrated by Kidder (1965: fig. 22, cat. 40), but it is more likely to have been a mask worn over the face of a figurine, as illustrated on examples from Aomori Prefecture in Esaka and Noguchi (1984: 84, nos. 165-6). The maker’s fingerprints (probably accidental) can be seen on the back.
Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection 3 volume catalogue, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997).
Provenance
Acquired by the Sainsbury Family in 1963. Donated to the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia in 1973 as part of the original gift.
On display
Title/Description: Maskette
Born: 1000 BC - 0400 BC
Materials: Earthenware
Measurements: h. 48 x w. 48 x d. 15 mm
Accession Number: 279
Historic Period: Jomon period (Final) (c. 1000-400 BC), 11th century BC, 5th century BC
Production Place: Asia, East Asia, Japan
Credit Line: Donated by Robert and Lisa Sainsbury, 1973
