Bobo. <em>Kuma Mask</em>, late 19th–early 20th century. Wood, pigment, iron, 33 3/4 x 10 1/2 x 27 3/4 in. (85.7 x 26.7 x 70.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Rosemary and George Lois, 78.240. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 78.240_PS2.jpg)

Kuma Mask

Artist:Bobo

Medium: Wood, pigment, iron

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:late 19th–early 20th century

Dimensions: 33 3/4 x 10 1/2 x 27 3/4 in. (85.7 x 26.7 x 70.5 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 78.240

Image: 78.240_PS2.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Polychrome wooden mask. The pigments used are white, ochre, red-brown and black. They are applied to the face of the mask in a triangular pattern. The nose is a long narrow ridge. The mouth is square shaped and painted red-brown. The eye holes are void squares. Ears are horse-shoe shaped. Extending horizontally out from the center of the forehead is a long, sweeping beak resembling that of a toucan bird. Starting at the back of the head and curving horizontally over the dome-shaped head is a sweeping curved horn. The proper right side of the mask has been painted with red-brown pigments; the proper left side has only traces of reddish-brown pigment because of erosion. There are drill holes on sides and bottom of mask for attachment.

Brooklyn Museum