Mask

Bassa people, Liberia, African

20th century

  • Titles Mask (Descriptive)
  • Medium wood
  • Dimensions 2 7/8 x 1 5/8 x 1 in. (7.3 x 4.1 x 2.5 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of Benita S. Baird and Ronald E. Barab, 1987.111.6
  • Work Type mask
  • Classification Costume

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Standing male power figure with bent arms resting on distended abdomen; below abdomen, figure is unarticulated block, partially covered by animal skin and waist ornaments (large bell and metal jangles attached to cord). Animal horn emerges vertically from top of head. Face has slitted, bulbous eyes, broad nose, protruding and slightly upturned open mouth, square beard. Necklace of glass beads, animal teeth, seed pods hangs from neck onto abdomen. Umbilical area has opening where medicinal materials once existed.
Nail, African, iron
Necklace with three large African trade beads on a leather thong.
Phallic-shaped vessel with opening at the bottom; one side decorated with central vertical rows and registers of raised horozontal lines connecting to center.