Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo-style carver / early to mid-1900s
Helmet Mask
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Helmet Mask as mask (Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo-style carver · early to mid-1900s).
Cowrie shells, feathers, and other accessories once decorated this helmet.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this mask as Wood, upholstery studs, and colorant.
The museum's collection notes: 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.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtHelmet MaskOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.