MASK

Description: A DRAGON MASK WITH A SWORD IN IT'S MOUTH IS MOUNTED AND FRAMED IN A LARGE, LIGHT BROWN WOOD FRAME WITH A GOLD COLORED RIM AROUND THE INTERIOR. ALSO MOUNTED INSIDE THE FRAME, IS A GOLD STICKER WHICH READS, "THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA. CHIA YI HSIEN CHAUG LI YA-CHING". THE FRAME IS KEPT INSIDE A DARK GREEN BOX. THE FRONT COVER OF THE BOX HAS AN ELABORATE DESIGN EMBOSSED ON IT IN THE SHAPE OF THE DRAGONS FACE. AROUND THE FACE, ARE 4 BAT LIKE CREATURES. IN CONTRAST TO THE DARK SURFACE, THERE ARE GOLD CHINESE CHARACTERS AS WELL AS A SMALLER GOLD DESIGN IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER. COMPLIMENTING THESE GOLD IMAGES AND CHARACTERS IS A SMALL BRIGHT RED CHARACTER AT THE TOP LEFT, AND SMALL RED DESIGNS INTERTWINED WITH THE GOLD DESIGN IN THE LOWER RIGHT. ON THE RIGHT HAND EDGE OF THE BOX, THERE ARE FURTHER GOLD AND RED CHARACTERS. A SMALL RED LOOP MADE OF A SYNTHETIC FABRIC IS USED AS A HANDLE TO REMOVE THE LID (WHICH IS HINGED ON THE LEFT SIDE) FROM THE REST OF THE BOX. THE MEASURMENTS FOR THE BOX ARE, HEIGHT- 8.3 CM, LENGTH- 30.5 CM WIDTH- 30.2 CM.

History: GIVEN BY A TAIWANESE DELEGATION TO LETHBRIDGE. A CIVIC GIFT, NOT PERSONAL. ACCORDING TO S.E. ASIAN TRADITION, IT IS REQUIRED THAT DURING AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO ANOTHER AREA A GIFT IS BROUGHT ALONG. THIS MASK WAS ONE OF THESE GIFTS.