Mask

Anthropomorphic mask from the Gere people, Liberia or Côte d'Ivoire, in which “the carefully recessed eye sockets and the resulting projection of the forehead and cheekbones prepare the threatening emergence of the enormous mouth [...]. The movable jaw, adorned with a beard of elegant braided fibers, [...] large teeth and a pointed tongue.” (quoted from E. Bassani [ed.], Arte dell'Africa Nera, Florence–Milan, Skira, 2000). The work is part of the Bassani Collection (inv. AFR 00035 2513A).

Photo: Paolo Vandrasch, Milano; Giuliano Spagnul, Milano; Vivi Papi, Varese.

Courtesy MUDEC.