Africa, West Africa, Mali, Malinke-style blacksmith-carver / mid- to late 1800s
Helmet Mask
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Helmet Mask as mask (Africa, West Africa, Mali, Malinke-style blacksmith-carver · mid- to late 1800s).
Holes along the top ridge of this mask once held a crest made of cane, red fibers, and cowrie shells.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this mask as Wood and probably resin.
The museum's collection notes: Combining animal and human traits, this example of a genre of mask called suruku , meaning “hyena,” most likely belonged to the Korè, one of six power associations that the Malinke would have adopted from their Bamana neighbors. The Korè is concerned with the circumcision and initiation of male youths into adulthood. The mask probably served as one of the symbols of the different Korè classes.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtHelmet MaskOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.