Miniature Mask

Loma tribe, Liberia
Early 20th century

Provenance: Collected in the 1970’s by an American Peace Corp. volunteer stationed in Liberia. Private California collection

This mask is a quite rare example of Loma passport masks. A very similar piece can be found in the Metropolitan Museum collection, its back being stuffed with a magical mixture. The back of this mask being carved out, it may have held a magical charge too. Both this mask and the Met’s present carved lines on both sides of the face, supposedly scarifications. Its bold composition and expressive shape, combined with its gem like quality, makes it a beautiful work of art.