Helmet mask "gbetu" ·  Liberia, Gola · ID: 3042773

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, partly encrusted, drilled holes along lower rim, slightly dam., minor missing parts, cracks, strong abrasion of paint.
“Gbetu” masks are not utilised by the “sande” society, but are rather used by men for public displays on holidays, for weddings, funerals and other special events but also are associated in some ways to the all powerful male “poro” society. The masks are accompanied by abundant raffia costumes, entirely veiling the dancers body.

Comparing literature

Mato, Daniel & Charles Miller, Sande, Düsseldorf 1990, p. 104 Grootaers, Jan-Lodewijk & Alexander Bortolot, Visions from the Forest, Seattle, London 2014, p. 27, ill. 1.10