Kpelie face mask, Senufo (#482)

Description

Formerly Displayed:
·
Kennedy Museum of Art at Ohio University (February through April 2007)
·
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine art at Auburn University (February through May 2008).
·
5
th
Avenue Mask Museum, Hendersonville NC (# 482)
Tag on mask: Senufo, Ivory Coast
Measurements are approximate.
Mask height: 15 ¼ inches
Mask width:
5 ¼ inches
Mask depth: 3 ¼ inches
Material: Wood, hand carved
Acquired year: 1977
Acquired from: Seven Continents LTD Kiawah Island
Information and the only claim with respect to authenticity about this mask are taken from notes and sketches by Ellen Hobbs
and from the museum catalogue
Behind the Mask
.
Ms. Hobbs’ sketch is shown with the photos of the mask. No other representations of authenticity are made.
According to Ms. Hobbs’ notes, this type of mask was danced with by young boys for their initiation into the tribe. It was also used at harvest festivals to help bring in a good crop and in funeral rites to lead the deceased into the land of the dead. The formations on the mask are symbolic of the man’s new status in the tribe.
Pictured in t
he museum catalog
Behind the Mask
(see photos) [copyrighted 2008 by Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Auburn University (
www.jcsm.auburn.edu
)]; the pages uploaded here have been reproduced with the Museum’s permission].