Mask

Kpelle people, Guinea, or Liberia, African

20th century

  • Titles Mask (Descriptive)
  • Medium wood, metal
  • Dimensions 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 1 in. (6.4 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of Benita S. Baird and Ronald E. Barab, 1987.108.2
  • Work Type mask
  • Classification Costume

See More of the Collection

Head-wrap of peach-colored fabric with metallic thread
Short robe of dark khaki cotton with crew neck and butterfly sleeves, the entire garment is hand embroidered with red, yellow, beige and blue cotton threads in a pattern consisting of wave-pattern bands at the waist and neck as well as along the sleeves and hem, within the bands is a pattern of irregularly-shaped organic elements, or gongs, and crescent shapes interspersed with diamonds and triangles.
Wide jar with slightly flaring, narrow neck; dark brown surface. Shoulder has pattern of parallel horizontal lines.
Iron staff with finial composed of one large, central bird surrounded by fourteen small birds, used by priest of Osanyin, the orisha (deity) of herbal medicine