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Art History Virtual Exhibition

Animal Mask: Researched by Brandellia Hang

October, 2020 by Whitney Mosley

Image of Animal Mask
Animal Mask
Baule culture
20th century
Wood, pigment, and shoe polish
L. 18 cm x W. 10 cm x H. 42 cm
MSU collection #2018.1.15

The Baule culture originates from Cote D’ Ivoire in the Western African region, where they are best-known for their portrait masks depicting human faces. However, the Baule also create very individualized animal masks that symbolize traits that are important to specific ceremonies; a mask depicting characteristics of the buffalo, for example, may be used to represent a fierce animal that will defend the people of the community. The different animal masks are often so specific to a certain ceremony or ritual that the mask serves only that one purpose, and there is only one version of that mask ever made.  

This Animal Mask has an elongated, human-like face shape, but also an open mouth with a large tongue and tusks, as well as rabbit-like ears protruding at the top.  While the mask most closely resembles Baule rabbit-human masks, it also incorporates traits, like tusks, that are only  seen on other Baule animal masks. Researched by Brandellia Hang

 

 

For more information, you may contact the researcher(s) noted in the title of this exhibit entry, or Dr. Billie Follensbee, the professor of the course, at BillieFollensbee@MissouriState.edu

Filed Under: 2020 Spring, ART 386: Art of Africa Tagged With: african art, baule culture, ceremonial masks, mask

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Categories

  • 2014 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2014 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2015 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2016 Fall, ART 385: Art of the Americas
  • 2016 Spring, ART 386: Art of Africa
  • 2017 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2017 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2018 Fall, ART 385: Art of the Americas
  • 2018 Spring, ART 386: Art of Africa
  • 2019 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2019 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2020 Spring, ART 386: Art of Africa

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