Anthropo-/zoomorphic face mask
Côte d'Ivoire, Baule
not available anymore
Size
H: 29 cm (with horns)
H: 11.4 inch (with horns)
Description
wood, brown patina, flat oval face with prominent cheek scarifications, raised band framing the whole face, crowning horns (missing in parts), slightly dam., cracks, base;
most likely belonging to the type of portrait masks “ndoma”. The word also means “namesake”, as when two people have the same name. The portraits appear one by one, each escorted by its human “double” and each greeted as honoured guest. The dancers wear beautiful cloth and carry cow-tail fly whisks, fine scarves or fresh green leaves. Most “mblo” portrait masks can be recognized by their facial features, their hairstyles, and their scarifications as depictions of known men and women.
Publications
AHDRC: 0139786