Mask carved from wood and painted. The animal face has a keyhole-like shape - a wide rounded top that narrows to a rectangular lower jaw. A large reddish-brown ridge extends over the back of the head, and carries down to the centre of the face, doubling as a nose. There are two small square cutout eye holes. The face is painted with black and white geometric designs of repeating triangles. Two large pointed ears extend out from the top of the head. Dark teal plant fibre hair is attached to the back.

• History Of Use

  Large masks depict clan animals; the animals are identified in origin stories, or are guardians of fruit. Owned by the clan and stored in ancestor shrines or in a head person’s compound, masks are used in funerals, initiation, and in annual year-end sacrifices for renewal in May.

---

• Type of Item mask
• Culture Mossi
• Material wood, paint, plant fibre, dye
• Measurements height 118.0 cm, width 55.0 cm, depth 48.0 cm (overall)

---

• Previous Owner Richard Tchuemegne
• Received from Richard Tchuemegne, Michael O'Brian Family Foundation, Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget

---

• Made in Burkina Faso

---

• Ownership Date before February 5, 2020
• Acquisition Date on February 5, 2020

---

• Condition good
• Accession Number 3420/0055