N'tomo Face Mask

Place of OriginMali, Bamana

Date20th Century

Dimensions17 1/2 × 8 1/4 × 4 1/4 in. (44.5 × 21 × 10.8 cm)

Mediumwood

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LineGift of Dr. Kenneth I. Freedman on behalf of the estate of Steven B. Weiss

Object number

2023.355

Not on View

DescriptionCarved wood mask with flat face, jutting forehead, and elongated nose surmounted by zoomorphic ears along the frame and an ambiguous figure head at the center. The mask has an overall dark patina and incised geometric markings accentuating the cheeks, brow line, and forehead. Consistent with 19th-20th century masks in prominent collections, the N’tomo mask does not have a mouth feature.