Helmet Mask
early to mid-1900s
Maker Unknown
African Art
Helmet Mask, early to mid-1900s. Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo-style carver. Wood, upholstery studs, and colorant; overall: 34.9 cm (13 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Katherine C. White 1975.152 This type of helmet was worn in rituals demonstrating a boy’s transition from one age group to the next, prior to his actual initiation into the secret Poro society. The pre-initiates were viewed as unknowing and anxious oxen, so the horns on such helmets may refer to those of horned cattle. The female figure alludes to women’s supernatural powers, which assure the welfare of Poro members.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Mask
- Formatted Medium
- Wood, upholstery studs, and colorant
- Medium
- wood, upholstery, studs, colorant
- Dimensions
- Overall: 34.9 cm (13 3/4 in.)
- Departments
- African Art
- Accession Number
- 1975.152
- Credit Line
- Gift of Katherine C. White
- Exhibitions
- Senufo: Art and Identity in West Africa, CMA 1968: "African Tribal Images: The Katherine White Reswick Collection," cat. no. 22, repr.<br>CMA 1976: "Year in Review 1975," CMA Bulletin LXIII Feb., 1976), p. 66, no. 29, repr. p. 64<br>The Cleveland Museum of Art (2/22/15-5/31/15) Saint Louis Art Museum (6/28/15/-9/27/15) Musée Fabre, montpellier France (11/28/15-3/6/16) "Senufo: Art Identity in West Africa;
- Rights Statement
- CC0
- Museum Location
- 108A Sub-Saharan
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