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Details / Information for Mask (n'tomo)

Mask (n'tomo)

c. 1930
Wood, aluminum, copper alloy, animal hair, and steel
Overall: 62.2 x 23 x 15.3 cm (24 1/2 x 9 1/16 x 6 in.)
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1994.14
Location: 108A Sub-Saharan
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Did You Know?

This wood and metal mask was worn with a cloth costume; together, it was considered a "full body mask."

Description

Malinke is the term used for Islamic Bamana speakers in Mali. Although Muslim, the Malinke have retained traditional initiation societies responsible for training boys to fulfill their adult roles. Masking performances and other techniques are used to instill self-awareness, discipline, and sacred knowledge in young men. Aluminum, which first became available with the advent of airplanes, enriches the mask’s surface with cut and stamped geometric shapes.
Mask with stylized almond-shaped face, three circles stacked on either side of an silver strip of a nose and a black square for a mouth. Nine posts fork out from the top, each alternating between bands of brown wood and silver metal. Where the posts meet the face is adorned with silver geometric shapes.

Mask (n'tomo)

c. 1930

Africa, West Africa, Mali, Bamana-style or Malinke-style blacksmith-carver

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