The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 26, 2024

Mask

Mask

c. 1940
Location: not on view

Description

During the lunar month known as the "Bedu dance moon," paired male and female maskers danced nightly to purify, bless, and heal the community in preparation for the new year. This mask represents a female, surmounted by a serrated disk suggestive of the moon. The maskers dance and lead the assembled audience in a series of playful songs of abuse that diffuse tensions and conflicts in the society. Seen looming over the crowd in the moonlight, the mask's dramatic silhouette and bold geometric patterns and dotted patterns must have created an impressive sight.
  • Year in Review: 1969. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 27-February 22, 1970).
  • {{cite web|title=Mask|url=false|author=|year=c. 1940|access-date=26 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1969.119