Bassa Artist
Early 20th century
Mask, Gela
Liberia
Wood
Liberia
Wood
Height: 7 in (17.8 cm)
Further images
These Gela masks, carved by the Bassa people of Liberia, represent the ideal of feminine beauty. They feature a concave face with skillfully carved details, a small mouth, closed eyes...
These Gela masks, carved by the Bassa people of Liberia, represent the ideal of feminine beauty. They feature a concave face with skillfully carved details, a small mouth, closed eyes and complex hairdos. These masks were attached to a woven framework and were positioned on the forehead of the dancer. Gela masks were used in performances to honor important guests and to celebrate young initiates into the Chu Den Zo society.
Provenance
Ex Wolfgang Ketterer, Munich, 1978Ex Dalton Somare, Milan
Ex Private collection, New York
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