A Loma facemask
2519
A Loma facemask
Liberia, the dark elongated face tapering to a pointed chin; copper and aluminum additions to the face, with beaded earrings and remains of fiber attachments. Blackened facial patina, with traces of blueing at top of head.
height 11in
Sold for US$ 5,040 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Exhibited:
    Governors State University, IL, 2003
    Krannert Art Museum, IL, 2003
    Belger Art Foundation/University of Missouri-Kansas City, MO, 2004
    Tall Grass Art Association, IL, 2005

    Published:
    Bourgeois and Rodolitz, REMNANTS OF RITUAL: SELECTIONS FROM THE GELBARD COLLECTION OF AFRICAN ART, Ethnos, New York, 2003, p.8, fig.19

    Masks of the Dan and neighboring peoples of Liberia and Ivory Coast served many purposes in both sacred and non-sacred contexts in village life. Many masks were made to use in the Poro initiatory society in Liberia; the basic function of the institution being the initiation of youths into manhood, and to utilize masks to frighten the uninitiated. Though not all used by the Poro society, such masks are from diverse cultural groups. The Loma examples show a clearly geometricized concept of the human face, while the more naturalistic Mano and Gio Masks almost approach portraiture.

Category: Ethnographic Art / Native American

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