In this second talk Duncan Melvin will deal with the evolution of the mask through the ancient civilisations of Egypt and Rome, and the various cultures of India, Japan, China, Java, Ceylon, and Tibet. Two very rare specimens of Egyptian masks, both more than 3,000 years old, will be televised. Roman masks carved from stone will also be shown, in addition to several beautiful examples of Eastern art, specimens from Ceylon, Java, India, and Japan. The last-named country will provide specimens of the famous No masks, closely preserved as temple treasures. As in the first talk, viewers will also see extracts from films showing masks worn by natives.
Two more talks by Duncan Melvin are to follow, and in them he will trace the evolution of the mask by steps right up to the present day.