Cermonial mask

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, red and white pigment remains, bell-shaped base with clamp-like projections to the back and to the front, carved with a long columnar neck, surmounted by a small head with crested coiffure and outsized pierced lobes aside, rest. (left ear), min. dam., traces of insect caused damage, minor missing parts, cracks, on metal base;
these ceremonial masks are often called “shoulder” or “yoke masks”, although most of them were not worn on the shoulder but on the head, especially the smaller examples. The larger ones had to be carried by several men, which were hidden by raffia-weave or textiles.