Sickness mask

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, clay-like coating in some areas, bulging forehead, dislocated facial features, a mouth with tusk-like teeth (missing on the left), slightly dam., minor missing parts (upper lip, rim on the back), cracks;
various ethnical groups produced sickness masks, for example the Ibibio, the Yoruba and the West-Pende. Aside of “gangosa pharyngitis” above all facial paralysis is depicted.