Artwork Page for Face Mask (Tehe gla)

Details / Information for Face Mask (Tehe gla)

Face Mask (Tehe gla)

early 1900s

Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire or Liberia, Wè-style carver

Medium
Wood, boar tusks, pelt, cloth, human hair, probably aluminum, reeds, iron alloy, copper alloy, plant fiber, and paint
Measurements
Overall: 38.1 cm (15 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Katherine C. White 1971.294
Public Domain
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Location
108A African
Print
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Did You Know?

The masquerader who wore this mask also had a body costume of layers of raffia and matching anklets; cloth covered their head.

Description

Tubular eyes and the fringe of carved leopard canine teeth identify this mask as male. Such masks appeared only during very important moments. The dancer wore a leopard skin over his head and shoulders, held an elephant's tusk in his hand, and had his face painted white. The masks function as peacemakers; they led soldiers into battle, and administered justice.
A wood mask features chipped paint and two tubular eyes painted white and fringed with fur. The face is painted orange with blue around the eyebrows and mouth. The mouth opens to red cloth with square metal teeth, several missing in the upper row. From the eye level, a mane made of light brown pegs wraps under the chin. Strips of dark brown human hair hang down on either side of the face.

Face Mask (Tehe gla)

early 1900s

Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire or Liberia, Wè-style carver

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