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Mblo Portrait Mask

Arts of Africa

At a wide range of Baule festivals and celebrations, masks are danced and performed to entertain. This mask's delicate, symmetrical features, ornate hairstyle, and smooth surface all create an image of calm and grace. The mask is meant to exemplify an ideal of personal beauty and composure.

CULTURE Baule
MEDIUM Wood, oils, pigment
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
DATES late 19th or early 20th century
DIMENSIONS 10 1/2 x 5 3/8 x 3 in.(26.7 x 13.7 x 7.6 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER 1989.51.25
CREDIT LINE The Adolph and Esther D. Gottlieb Collection
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Oval mask. Round, protruding eyes, scarification at either side of nose. CONDITION: Good; nick on forehead, nose.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Baule. Mblo Portrait Mask, late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, oils, pigment, 10 1/2 x 5 3/8 x 3 in.(26.7 x 13.7 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The Adolph and Esther D. Gottlieb Collection, 1989.51.25. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1989.51.25_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 1989.51.25_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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