Mask
Artist Unidentified
20th century
Object PlaceCote d'Ivoire; Liberia
Medium/Techniquepainted wood and metal
DimensionsOverall: 25 x 15 x 7 cm (9 13/16 x 5 7/8 x 2 3/4 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2598
On View
Not on viewClassificationsMasks
Collections
The Dan, who occupy the forested coast of West Africa, are known for their vast network of masks. The Dan believe that forest spirits will visit a member of the community and reveal the type of mask and accompanying costume that will allow the spirit to emerge. The elongated ovalesque shape of this mask indicates that it is a feminine masquerade. Performed by young men, feminine masquerades were generally associated with minor spirits.
ProvenanceGeneviève 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)
Artist Unidentified