This vintage framed rice-paper painting depicts a shaman mask associated with the Dao (Yao) people of Vietnam. The Dao are a highland ethnic minority found largely in Vietnam's northern provinces, where Taoist-influenced shamanic traditions remain part of communal ritual life. Masks of this kind, whether carved or painted, represent guardian spirits and deities invoked by shamans during ceremonies. This example is a painted rendering on thin rice paper rather than a three-dimensional mask, mounted and set behind glass in a wood frame.

An unusual Chinese folk painting depicting a male ruler or deified historical figure in formal court dress. The figure is shown frontally, wearing an elaborate ceremonial headdress decorated with red and dark circular ornaments, a red robe, and a short moustache and beard.

A vertical inscription at the right begins 蜀王 (Shǔ Wáng), meaning “King of Shu” or “Prince of Shu.” The remaining characters appear to give a further name or honorific title but have not yet been securely deciphered. The term Shu refers historically to the region of present-day Sichuan in southwestern China, where a number of ancient rulers later became subjects of legend and local religious veneration.

This framed painting measures 15 3/4 x 14 3/4" (40 x 37 cm). The area of the mask itself is 9 x 7 3/4" (23 x 20 cm)