Miniature mask "geh-naw" ·  Liberia, Bassa · ID: 3047242

Description

wood, base

Different ethnic groups of the Ivory Coast and Liberia produce miniature masks which are modelled on various “large” mask types.

The most common name for these miniature versions is “ma go” (small head). They embody tutelary spirits associated with the large masks and must be regularly “fed” so that the spirit will grant its help.

This miniature mask is modelled on the type of the “geh-naw” mask which mainly appears in the context of the initiation society “chu-den-zo”.

The object Miniature mask “geh-naw” with the object ID 3047242 was last part of the auction 95th Tribal Art Auction at October 24, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 122.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.