Artwork Page for Face Mask

Details / Information for Face Mask

Face Mask

early 1900s

attributed to Sabariko Koné

(Senufo, d. c. 1950)
Culture
Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire
Medium
Wood, upholstery studs, resin, and paint
Measurements
Overall: 31.6 x 16.7 x 11.4 cm (12 7/16 x 6 9/16 x 4 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1989.48
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

Sabarikwo, the sculptor of this mask, enjoyed great fame and traveled widely through Côte d'Ivoire's Boundiali region.

Description

Face masks like this example are most typically worn during initiation and funerary rituals of a poro association, an age-based organization with religious and sociopolitical responsibilities. Though only worn by men, the masks have facial characteristics that are essentially female, and their imagery is closely related to ideas of sexuality and fertility. The scarification mark on this mask’s forehead is an oblique symbol of a woman’s genitalia, while its lustrous black surface imitates a woman’s oiled, smooth skin—a sign of ideal feminine beauty.
A mask is made up of two stacked faces shaped like inverted tear drops, the face on top a fourth of the size of the one below. The larger mask has black lines carved like closed eyelids and an almond shape flanked by two circles on either side on the forehead. On either side of the mask protrude parallel rectangles, then triangles, then boomeranglike shapes. Similar shapes also flank the smaller mask.

Face Mask

early 1900s

Sabariko Koné

(Senufo, d. c. 1950)
Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire

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