Anthropomorphic face mask

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Description

wood, shiny black patina, white pigment, expressive form: projecting forehead, spherical eyes with narrow see-slits accentuated by incised lines with white pigment in the deepenings, accentuated cheekbones, big nose and mouth, slightly dam. (forehead, eyes, nosetip, mouth), cracks (upper and lower rim), metal base;
a mask of comparable even though of a much more exaggerated form can be found at K.-F. Schädler, Munich 2001, p. 55.
Concerning the mask type, it might be classified as “tankagle” mask, which means as much as “pantomimic dancing mask figure”. Such masks used to entertain the audience with varied dances, sometimes with playing little scenes or by singing.

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Comparing literature

Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Kunst der Elfenbeinküste, München 2001, ill. 10

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