Brown mask with teeth and shell necklace

Clothing/Dress/Costume

Black Heritage Library

Face of Mask

This brown carved mask has white inlaid around the eyes, and includes teeth and a shell and ribbon necklace with natural fiber fluff under it.

Name/Title

Brown mask with teeth and shell necklace

Description

This brown carved mask has white inlaid around the eyes, and includes teeth and a shell and ribbon necklace with natural fiber fluff under it.

Use

Ritual and Ceremonial

Context

Ritual and ceremonial masks are an essential feature of the traditional culture and art of the peoples of Subsaharan and West Africa. Masks usually have a spiritual and religious meaning and they are used in ritual dances and social and religious events, and a special status is attributed to the artists that create masks and to those that wear them in ceremonies. In most cases, mask-making is an art that is passed on from father to son, along with the knowledge of the symbolic meanings conveyed by such masks.

Collection

Masks

Cataloged By

gifforde@findlay.edu

Created By

gifforde@findlay.edu

Create Date

November 1, 2023

Updated By

gifforde@findlay.edu

Update Date

November 1, 2023