Clay Mask Souvenir Piece From Where

Hi,
I picked this clay mask up and trying to determine where it would be from. I assume it would be a souvenir piece, 11" x 6".
Mary

 

Hi Mary,
I just started my coffee which is dangerous time to answer. I am getting the feeling of a Chinese jade mask which was on an important woman. WAG
greg

 

Thank-you @gregsglass - you think this could be Chinese?
Mary

 

Not Chinese with those round eyes, I think. I'm thinking more like studio pottery, but I dunno really.

 

Respectfully, I have no idea where it's from but it can't be eliminated as Chinese because if the round eyes. Ancient Qijia masks had round eyes and they're Chinese.

 

Thank-you jsales0, I didn't know that.
Wendy it could be a studio piece, I just thought of something you would bring home as a souvenir of your holiday.
Mary

 

I think it's a cool piece. Really no clue where it's from although I thought African first but it could be a studio art piece too. Just know from experience that people do tend to take info posted on boards as gospel and wanted to clarify that Chinese round eye masks do exist.

 

Thanks jsales0! I think it is pretty cool too!

 

Reminds me quite a bit of some of the sheet metal covered masks from Africa ......



Being round with round eyes, the form is more similar to the Baluba masks. However, if covered in sheet metal, they tend to be more worked .......



Since yours is made of clay but mimics sheet metal covering, I really think it is a studio creation that borrows elements from traditional masks. I don't know of any traditional masks in clay that look like this.

 

Forgot to mention that, without eye holes, this is definitely a decorative art piece with no pretension of being a mask.

 

Agree that it's a decorative piece (and I too thought of African first as stated) but think I disagree that a mask must have eye holes. Certainly needs them to be worn but not as a grave piece.

 

Didn't realize this one had no eye holes until now-was looking on a phone before LOL.

 

Not suggesting this is a grave piece BTW-I do think it is decorative...

 

Thanks Brad & sales0. Yes, I agree for decoration only!
Mary