Masque miniature "geh-naw"

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”.