Vessel

Babessi people, Republic of Cameroon, African

Mid 20th century

  • Titles Vessel (Descriptive)
  • Artist Babessi people
  • Medium fired clay and slip
  • Dimensions 18 1/8 x 18 3/4 in. Diam. (46 x 47.6 cm)
  • Credit Line Collection of the Art Fund, Inc. at the Birmingham Museum of Art; Dick Jemison Collection of African Pottery, AFI.264.2012
  • Work Type vessel
  • Classification Containers

See More of the Collection

Gold Weight with Geometric Design, Akan group, Ghana or, Côte d'Ivoire, African, brass
Face mask with rabbit features. Narrow vertical oval ears painted red with white interiors; protruding conical black eyes surrounded by concentric black rings with white pigment in-between; protruding open triangular mouth/snout, painted black, adorned with small incised triangles painted white and red. Oval perimeter of back of mask pierced with multiple holes to enable attachment of mask to dancer's head as well as attachment of fiber costume. This type of mask is worn by men during funeral or initiation ceremonies. Animal masks commemorate encounters that people have had with ancestors who appeared in the form of an animal.
Colector number EWKL 26
Antelope Mask (walu), Dogon people, Mali, African, wood, pigment, metal