Anthropomorphic face mask

Description

wood, remains of middle brown patina, kaolin, faint remains of red “tukula”, “well-fed” round cheeks, eyes arranged close to each other, european facial features with narrow nose and thin-lipped mouth, hairline marked by grooved line, triangular compartment with line-pattern on the forehead, old collection number handwritten in white paint along edge: “1978.90”, sticker “Mathias Komor New York Works of Art E 764” at the same place, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, rep. (chin broken);
rather portrait-like mask, presumably depicting a woman or her spirit. The face is encrusted with kaolin, both ritually sanctifying the object as well as physically beautifying it. Such a mask was ritually danced by a man in full costume, made in fibre, leaves or feathers and a number of items that are added on to allow the onlookers to identify the performing character. These items are either attached to the costume (for example fake breasts) or carried in the hand (for example a staff, flywhisk or knife). The mask would have appeared in the context of initiation proceedings, among others.

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