Mask
Masked leaders emerge at times of stress and important decision making. In Kom, a regulatory association known as Kwifon organizes masquerades for funerals, and for major palace festivals to reinforce the authority behind royal announcements. This mask is of a type that is positioned so the face appears to be looking skyward while the performer is concealed by a net under the chin. Carved of very hard wood, the features are accented with white chalk, while the beard and headdress are adorned with extensions made from a local plant fiber fabric dotted with black cotton.
Wood, human hair, and fiber
12 x 9 1/2 in. (30.48 x 24.13 cm)
Gift of Dr. Oliver E. and Pamela F. Cobb
91.252
Photo: Scott Leen
