Mask (maa go)

Bassa people, Liberia, African

20th century

  • Titles Mask (maa go) (Descriptive)
  • Medium wood; patina
  • Dimensions Overall: 2 1/4 x 1 in. (5.7 x 2.5 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of Drs. Noble and Jean Endicott, 1986.889
  • Work Type mask
  • Classification Costume

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Blackish-brown glossy vessel has round bottom and slopes inward toward mouth in rounded tiers. Body has incised bands, some filled with herringbone pattern, concentric arcs, and sections of parallel vertical lines.
Tall cylindrical figure with long neck and human head has breasts, raised pattern on abdomen, and small round hole below pattern.
Round vessel with narrow neck has pink and white bands of pigment; shoulder has strap handles.
Hide shield attached by leather strips to oval wooden frame; vertical wooden handle on back; patterns in blue, white, black, ochre, red pigments.