Passport Mask

Dan tribe, Ivory Coast
Early 20th c.

Provenance: Margarete Wells collection, Boston, acquired in the 1970’s

Miniature masks bear many names: the most common is ma go (small head), but depending on scholarship it has also be named yi luo po (thing which water is poured over), gba po (thing which is fed), or nyonkula (substitute for the ancestors). Echoing the variety of names, they fulfill a variety of functions. Anyone who has a spiritual connection with a mask, or whose family owns an important mask, is entitled to commission a miniature. Rubbed with oil and food, they are wrapped up and kept on the owner’s body or among his possessions and function as portable and personal forms that share the power and protective force of the full-sized mask. This ma-go exudes a commanding presence. The carving is bold, showcasing strong lines and a perfectly balanced mask with angular contours. The expression portrayed is sublime, characterized by closed eyes and gently pursed lips, imparting an enigmatic allure. Crafted from hardwood, it bears a deep, encrusted black patina acquired over generations of use, attesting to its age and history. It is in excellent condition.