English: Mask, Wee peoples, Côte d'Ivoire, Late 19th to mid-20th century, Wood, pigment, brass tacks, bells, metal, cloth, hair, teeth

The relatively calm-albeit, exuberantly decorated-life-size face, the slightly parted lips and the slit eyes fit the local definition of a female mask. The mask's performance style, whether a comic performer asking for money and gifts, a singer or praise attendant, is nonthreatening and its character is defined by its headdress, body covering, dance pattern and accompanying percussion instruments and attendants. The lines of tacks on the cheeks and forehead are indicative of old styles of scarification or the face paint still worn by women for ceremonial occasions. Most examples have a stained black surface that differs from the natural aged wood of this piece.

(National Museum of African Art)