H x W x D: 51.4 x 32.2 x 24 cm (20 1/4 x 12 11/16 x 9 7/16 in.)
Type:
Mask
Geography:
Sierra Leone
Date:
Md 20th century
Label Text:
The gongoli mask was worn by the men from the Mende and neighboring groups. Masked dancers provide comic relief at funeral ceremonies seven days after burial and provide entertainment during weddings, visits of dignitaries and on other occasions. The mouth is open as though chewing kola nuts.
Description:
Large wood helmet mask, protruding forehead connected to triangular nose, projecting round eyes, large ears on side of head from eyes to middle of cheeks, oval mouth, open but not pierced.
Provenance:
Paul and Ruth Tishman, New York, -- to 1983
Published References:
Sieber, Roy and Arnold Rubin. 1970. Sculpture of Black Africa: The Paul Tishman Collection. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, no. A8.
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