Antique Japanese Ceramic Noh Mask Style Wall Masks Hannya & Beshimi Pair c.1940

This is a rare and highly atmospheric pair of antique Japanese ceramic masks depicting Hannya and Beshimi, preserved together in their original two-tier wooden storage box. These masks were sourced from Kyoto, the historic cultural heart of Japan. While strongly related in form and expression to traditional Noh masks, they appear to have been made primarily as decorative wall masks or display masks, rather than as performance masks intended for theatrical use.

Unlike typical carved wooden Noh masks, these examples appear to be formed from fired clay / earthenware, giving them a distinctive material presence, weight, and aged ceramic texture. Their surfaces show a thick milky-white coating with natural crackling, flaking, and uneven aging, creating a striking wabi-sabi character and a haunting expressive depth.

The facial forms clearly draw on the visual language of Japanese mask traditions: the fierce, horned expression of Hannya and the compressed, tense features associated with Beshimi. At the same time, their handmade clay construction and strongly rustic surface suggest a work situated between traditional mask imagery, ceramic craft, and folk devotional or protective wall ornament.

Both masks bear impressed seals on the reverse, and the original storage box is dated Showa 15 (1940), placing the set in the pre-war period. Their unusual material, expressive forms, and Kyoto provenance make them highly distinctive objects that combine the spirit of Japanese mask art with the tactile presence of antique ceramic craft.

Key Features:

• Rare pair of Japanese Noh mask-style ceramic wall masks
• Depicting Hannya and Beshimi
• Sourced from Kyoto
• Appears to be ceramic / earthenware, not carved wood
• Likely made as display masks / wall ornaments, not stage performance masks
• Thick aged white surface with crackling and natural flaking
• Impressed seals on the reverse of both masks
• Original two-tier wooden box dated Showa 15 (1940)

Size & Weight (Approx.):

• Beshimi Mask: 18.5 x 16.2 x 7.0 cm / 346 g
• Hannya Mask: 18.6 x 13.7 x 8.0 cm / 332 g
• Total Weight: 2.6 kg / 5.7 lbs (including box)

Condition:
Authentic antique condition with significant age-related character. The surfaces show natural crackling, peeling, and flaking, especially along edges and raised areas. These losses are consistent with age and with the nature of the ceramic surface. The masks remain structurally solid and retain a remarkable historical and decorative presence. Please review the photos carefully for details of the surface, seals, and box.