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Details / Information for Face Mask

Face Mask

early 1900s

attributed to Sabariko Koné

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

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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.
Mask like 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 out 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 boomerang-like shapes, similar shapes also flanking the smaller mask.

Face Mask

early 1900s

Sabariko Koné

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

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