Mask

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Culture Mambila

Title Mask

Date 19th–mid 20th century

Medium Wood and pigment

Dimensions Object: 8 3/4 × 7 1/16 × 17 1/4 in. (22.2 × 17.9 × 43.8 cm)
Overall: 8 3/4 × 7 1/16 × 17 1/4 in. (22.2 × 17.9 × 43.8 cm)

Credit Line Gift of Evelyn Metzger, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 63.11

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About this Work

In Mambila culture masks are used in a range of different ceremonies. Masks, such as this one, are used at biannual masquerades held for planting and harvesting, as well as at certain men’s initiation ceremonies. Known as a crow mask, this mask would rest on the top of a man's head.

Men make these masks, and, while the creators are not specialists, certain members of the community develop a reputation for great skill. In addition to being made by men; these masks are only to be seen by men.

Provenance
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Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

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"Mask | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=63.11