Spike

African

  • Titles Spike (Descriptive)
  • Medium iron
  • Dimensions 8 5/8 x 3 3/4 x 4 in. (21.9 x 9.5 x 10.2 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of Mortimer B. and Sue Fuller, 2006.243
  • Work Type spike
  • Classification Furnishings and Equipment

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Round vessel with narrow neck has pink and white bands of pigment; shoulder has strap handles.
Tall vertical plank surmounts circular "face." Patterns on plank are carved and painted with red, black, and white pigment. Patterns on front include two large "X" designs, one atop the other. Top of plank is sculpted into upturned crescent moon shape. Back of plank has checkerboard pattern. Hood "beak" shape extends from front of circular face, pointing downward toward circular "mouth" opening. Deep oval shape extends from back side of face to cover masquerader's face. Holes around edge of oval for rope to secure mask to back of masquerader's head.
Buffalo Mask, Bwa people, or Nuna people, Burkina Faso, African, wood, pigment, leather
Carved wooden mask with mud packed fiber wig and woven neck piece. Mask used in initiation ritual.