Skip to main content
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Face Mask
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Face Mask

Artist/Maker (Ivory Coast and Liberia)
Date20th century
Mediumwood, stain, iron, pigment and encrustation
DimensionsOverall: 9 x 5 7/8 x 3 1/4 in. (22.9 x 14.9 x 8.3 cm)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineGift of Alan Potamkin
Terms
    Object number2007.48.96
    DescriptionWhile this mask has no obvious sacrificial residue, it does have a nail in the top of the forehead, often a sign of spiritual activation. It has had other materials added as well, perhaps on or in the mouth and certainly around the eyes. Metal is often placed around the eyes to suggest a glaring, confrontational quality. The metal also served to distract an observer from noticing too much the human eyes that might be visible in the sometimes large, round eyeholes as seen here.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Dan people
    early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Dan people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Fon people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Olmec
    ca. 800-300 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Teotihuacán
    ca. 250-550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ibibio people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bassa people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 300-600
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Aztec
    ca. 1350-1521
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    early 19th century