Bibi or Queen Playing Card for the Game of Nas

mid–19th century

Object Label

The surface of this head is lifelike, but its expression may lead us to contemplate the psychic life at play behind the closed eyes. The sculptor Isamu Noguchi modeled this likeness of his uncle Takagi, a Buddhist priest, in gratitude for his hospitality during the artist’s visit to Tokyo in 1931. One of three casts from the original clay sculpture, the head suggests the “closed-eye vision” achieved through meditation.

Caption

Bibi or Queen Playing Card for the Game of Nas, mid–19th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on wood or papiermâché under lacquered varnish, 2 3/8 x 1 9/16 in. (6.0 x 4.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X274h. No known copyright restrictions

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Bibi or Queen Playing Card for the Game of Nas

Date

mid–19th century

Period

Qajar Period

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on wood or papiermâché under lacquered varnish

Dimensions

2 3/8 x 1 9/16 in. (6.0 x 4.0 cm)

Credit Line

Brooklyn Museum Collection

Accession Number

X274h

Rights

No known copyright restrictions

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