Tim Yip Oscar Winner Dog Sculpture Mask King & I Broadway Prop Asian Art Character Headpiece

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This extraordinary hand-painted Dog Mask is a verified primary production artifact from the celebrated "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet … Read more This extraordinary hand-painted Dog Mask is a verified primary production artifact from the celebrated "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet sequence in the 2007 Broadway Asia international tour of The King and I. Designed by the visionary Academy Award-winning artist Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), this mask is a masterclass in his "New Orientalism" aesthetic. It features a dramatic, flared-ear silhouette, intricate red and gold flame-patterning, and hand-carved tusks, representing the intersection of traditional Thai Khon craftsmanship and Oscar-winning cinematic design.

This mask, measuring 11" tall x 9" wide represents the 'Dog' character from the visually arresting 'Small House of Uncle Thomas' ballet sequence; a stylized, high-concept theatrical interpretation of the traditional Thai animal forms used to bring the show's most famous narrative-within-a-narrative to life.

The provenance of this piece is impeccable and meticulously documented. The interior retains its original Fullerton Civic Light Opera (FCLO) archival tag, hand-identified for the production of "K + I" (The King and I). Critically, the tag designates this specific mask as "#1 of 8," marking it as the lead piece in a finite series of only eight ever created for the 2007 international tour. This level of granular serialization, maintained by the prestigious FCLO professional archive, provides an ironclad "paper trail" that is highly coveted by museum-grade collectors and fine art investors. FCLO aquired the entire costume collection when the Broadway tour ended.

Crafted using traditional hand-layered paper-mâché, the mask exhibits a magnificent "theatrical patina" earned through its rigorous performance history. Visible evidence of its time on the world stage, including minor surface abrasions and the original performer's high-density foam padding, serves as an authentic fingerprint of its 2007 tour-worn status. Presented in its original, un-restored state, this #1 of 8 character mask is a premier investment piece that bridges the worlds of 21st-century Broadway history and world-renowned avant-garde sculpture.

Condition: Very Good - Production-Worn.
Condition Notes: This mask exhibits authentic theatrical wear consistent with its use as a functional performance artifact. Details include minor surface "stage-scuffs," localized paint softening, and the presence of original internal performer padding. The internal FCLO archival tag (#1 of 8) is perfectly preserved and legible. All hand-painted details and structural elements are original to the 2007 Tim Yip design.

This artifact is part of a premier private collection of Tim Yip's 'The King and I' archive. Please view my other listings to see additional screen-matched hero masks and royal headpieces from this historic 2007 production. See less