Mask

Toma people, Guinea, African

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geometric design
Vessel cover dedicated to the river god, Erinle. Such vessels were used to hold "moving water" from rivers or the sea, but not from wells, Every sixteen days the water is renewed together with two stones taken from a river as symbols of Erinle. The stones are also considered analogous to embryos in the womb. Surmounted by a male figure with his arms around a bowl on a potstand, a salamander or other river animal is behind him, and ritual implements surround him.
Globular reddish tripod vessel has broad mouth and raised bands delineating registers of incised zig-zags and impressed patterns; prominent raised ovals on each register.
Surmounted by two bush-cow masks heads on each side