Small mask "ma go" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3041736

Description

wood, rich blackish brown patina, prominent horizontal deepened eye zone, vertical forehead ridge, diadem-like coiffure in raised herringbone-pattern, drilled holes around the rim, abrasion of paint (forehead, mouth), crack backside, base;
miniature masks have different functions: they represent the big, significant mask figures and were taken along to keep in touch with the helping spirit even when leaving home. At circumcision rites they served as a kind of witness and were said to clean the knife of every evil influence, i. e. somehow “sterilizing” the knife. Finally they were exhibited by secret societies to show their respect towards the mask spirits.

Publications

AHDRC: 0141963