Beijing Opera is the quintessence of China, it contains the soul of Chinese national culture. This is a vintage, four piece, miniature set of Chinese opera, face masks displayed in a silk box. The porcelain masks are attached to a red, satin background. The square box is covered in a green, silk fabric depicting Chinese, pictorial scenes. The make-up masks are brilliantly painted and in excellent condition. The masks each measure about 1 1/2 X2 inches. The silk covered box with bone closure is also in very good condition. The painted masks were originally used in the fields of battle to make dreadful figures to frighten the enemy. Later on the masks were employed in the stage.