Toma Anthro-Zoomorphic Mask

This beautiful, old headdress mask is the surviving part of a larger, mostly fiber, costume ensemble. I was informed that the mask was collected in Africa before 1982, but there is no documentation establishing this as fact. The mask certainly shows age and signs of use. It has a rich and varied patina and is solidly constructed. Masks ranging in sizes and forms play a critical role in Toma culture (Loma in Liberia); they are used in Poro Society initiations, funerals and judgement ceremonies concerned with specialized knowledge or salé. While this mask is displayed here vertically, in cultural use it was worn closer to horizontal, with the broadest plane up. Price on request.

19″ height with base

Inquire About This Item