Mask

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-masks

Culture Mende Gongoli

Culture Poro Society

Date20th Century

Made AtCôte d'Ivoire, Africa

MediumWood

DimensionsOverall: 24 5/8 x 10 3/4 x 11 3/4 in. (62.5 x 27.3 x 29.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Solomon

Object numberF79.27.7

DescriptionMende Gongoli. Wood. Large face mask. Extremely reduced interpretation of face. Bulbous forehead. Lower face, eyes to chin, elongated and flattened. Eyes only faintly scratched out by two semi-circular lines; mouth, a diamond with teeth indicated by carved in line of zigzag. Nose, most prominent feature, carved in high relief. Closely incised lines represent hair. 21"H. Liberia.
LABEL COPY: Poro Society Mask, Mende Tribe, Ivory Coast, Africa. 21"H. Blackened wood, This large mask has a bulbous forehead with an extremely reduced interpretation of the face. Closely incised lines at the top represent hair. Among the Mende the Poro Society has great political importance, suppling the mystical authority which was absent in the secular figure of the Mende Chief. The Poro Society helped to better relations between communities and modern political parties have sometime used their services to advantage.
JRW 4/80 See African Arts in 1980-81 for more information.
Bowers Museum Foundation Collection
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Solomon
F79.27.7

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