Mask

Anthropomorphic mask from the Bassa people of Liberia, characterized by “the almost complete absence of decoration and the rigor of the volumes projecting from the facial plane. The powerful nose, the small pouting lips, and the pointed chin, aligned with the vertical band running across the forehead, divide the austere face [...] and the orderly coiffure of parallel braids with a central crest” (quoted from E. Bassani [ed.], Arte dell'Africa Nera, Florence–Milan, Skira, 2000). The work is part of the Bassani Collection (inv. AFR 00037 2513A).

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

Courtesy MUDEC.