Passport Mask
Dan, Liberia
19th-Early 20th c.
Provenance: Collected in the 1970’s by Franco Monti, Milan. Private Boston collection
Ma-Go is the traditional term for these miniature masks meaning small head; the term passport has been used by westerners to describe the way these small masks are used; and indeed, they are sometimes used as a passport; a symbol of their clan when they travel from village to village. But these masks also have a more important value; they serve as protection and carry spirits inside them to ward off evil. This example is simply gorgeous; with a deeply pierced forehead, once carrying long strands of beads, and beautiful down cast lips. The wood is hard and slightly eroded in areas from exposure; but the mask is very much intact and quite an impressive example.
Passport Mask
Dan, Liberia
19th-Early 20th c.
Provenance: Collected in the 1970’s by Franco Monti, Milan. Private Boston collection
Ma-Go is the traditional term for these miniature masks meaning small head; the term passport has been used by westerners to describe the way these small masks are used; and indeed, they are sometimes used as a passport; a symbol of their clan when they travel from village to village. But these masks also have a more important value; they serve as protection and carry spirits inside them to ward off evil. This example is simply gorgeous; with a deeply pierced forehead, once carrying long strands of beads, and beautiful down cast lips. The wood is hard and slightly eroded in areas from exposure; but the mask is very much intact and quite an impressive example.