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Face Mask
early 1900s
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
Tubular eyes and the fringe of carved leopard canine teeth identify this mask as male. Such masks appeared only during very important moments. The dancer wore a leopard skin over his head and shoulders, held an elephant's tusk in his hand, and had his face painted white. The masks function as peacemakers; they led soldiers into battle, and administered justice.
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Details
- Title: Face Mask
- Date Created: early 1900s
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 38.1 cm (15 in.)
- Provenance: Harry Franklin, Los Angeles, Harry Franklin, Los Angeles; Katherine White Reswick
- Type: Mask
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1971.294
- Medium: Wood, boar tusks, pelt, cloth, human hair, probably aluminum, reeds, iron alloy, copper alloy, plant fiber, and paint
- Department: African Art
- Culture: Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire or Liberia, Wè-style carver
- Credit Line: Gift of Katherine C. White
- Collection: African Art
- Accession Number: 1971.294
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