Cleveland Museum of Art

Face Mask (Tehe gla)

Date

early 1900s

Medium

Wood, boar tusks, pelt, cloth, human hair, probably aluminum, reeds, iron alloy, copper alloy, plant fiber, and paint

Culture

Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire or Liberia, Wè-style carver

Department

African Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Tubular eyes and the fringe of carved leopard canine teeth identify this mask as male. Such masks appeared only during very important moments. The dancer wore a leopard skin over his head and shoulders, held an elephant's tusk in his hand, and had his face painted white. The masks function as peacemakers; they led soldiers into battle, and administered justice. The masquerader who wore this mask also had a body costume of layers of raffia and matching anklets; cloth covered their head.

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