Monkey Mask

Accession Number
2016/1.257

Title
Monkey Mask

Artist(s)
Baulé

Artist Nationality
Baule (culture)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
wood

Dimensions
11 in x 7 in x 3 in (27.94 cm x 17.78 cm x 7.62 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Michael and Phyllis Courlander

Subject matter

Baule masks typically represent animals, specific individuals, and social types. Masks depicting animals are traditionally only seen while the performer is in costume. This mask was potentially worn during the gba gba dance, a humourous performance that represents human, domestic, and bush animals through costume.

 

Sources:

Vogel, Susan, ed. For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1981.

Vogel, Susan. "Baule: African Art Western Eyes." African Arts 30, no. 4 (1997).

Vogel, Susan. Baule Art as the Expression of a World View. Ph.D. diss. New York University, 1977.



Physical Description
Carved mask with an elongated, protruding nose that extends to the bottom of the mask. The mouth is open with articulated teeth.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
mask

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
bush (wilderness)
men (male humans)
sacred objects
sacrifices
spirits (beings)

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved