Mask "geh naw" · Liberia, Bassa · ID: 3033454
Fily Keita, Los Angeles, USA
Description
wood, dark brown patina, hollowed facial plane with pointed chin, elaborate coiffure consisting of nine voluminous lobes, pierced around the rim, min. dam., minor missing parts, traces of abrasion, on base;
the mask type “geh-naw” belongs to a secret society called “chu-den-zo”. It used to entertain the audience when the initiated boys returned from the bush camp or when distinguished guests came to visit the village. The dancer wore the mask on the forehead, looking through a gap within the cloth, veiling his head and the upper part of his body.
The object Mask “geh naw” with the object ID 3033454 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 189.
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