Item
Chinese Sichuan Magical Face Hanging ornament
Handcrafted ceramic pottery/craft
Material
100% new; with box package
Sizes & Weight
Face: length(tip to tip) : ~20cm
width(left tip of ear to right one) :~15cm
length of the red knots: above face: ~13cm; below face: ~30cm
packing box: length: 17cm; width: 16cm; thickness: 5.5cm
Sichuan Opera is well-known in China, and is characterized by solo singing, skillful acting, rich percussion and incredibly funny comedies. Special characters use stunts such as quick face changes without makeup, jumping through burning hoops and hiding of swords. The magical face changes are particularly famous. It is said that ancient people painted their faces to drive away wild animals. Sichuan Opera absorbs this ancient skill and perfects it into an art.
Face Changing
The involvement is about an on-stage change of mask or facial makeup, via masks or facial painting, without the audience noticing. It is amazing that, with a magical sweep of a hand, the actors can change their masks successively in an incredibly short time. Actors change more than 10 masks in less than 20 seconds!
Initially the opera masters changed their face during a performance by blowing into a bowl of red, black or gold powder, which immediately stuck to their oiled skinny. By the 1920s, actors began to use layers of masks made of oiled paper. Now, the masters use painted silk masks, which can be worn in layers. No matter how closely you watch, you don't see the mask being changed.
One of the master Peng Denghuai changed 14 masks in 25 seconds, and reverted to four masks after revealing his true face. This was his latest Guinness World record, breaking his previous one. Hong Kong super star Andy Lau was said to respect Mr. Peng as teacher and mentor in this stunt.
