Mask (bagle)
20th century, 1950–2000
Object PlaceLiberia or Cote d'Ivoire
Medium/TechniqueWood, metal
DimensionsOverall: 24 x 14 x 9 cm (9 7/16 x 5 1/2 x 3 9/16 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2705
On View
Not on viewClassificationsSculpture
Collections
This finely carved oval-faced head piece displays a horizontal mark on its forehead that recalls an ancient form of scarification. Though it's difficult to identify without its associated costume or clues that might emerge in performance, the mask most closely resembles bagle, a male masker who dances during festivals.
Inscriptions3 labels on back: illegible; red plastic label on back C: "80"Provenance1950s, sold by an unidentified African merchant, Paris, to Geneviève McMillan (b. 1922 - d. 2008), Cambridge, MA; 2008, to the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation, Cambridge; 2009, gift of the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)
