Skip to main content
Object Number 48-36-50/7315
Display Title Black wooden mask - (Wai los, Kpelle; ToGe, Mano). Hears palaver and has a sacri
Descriptions
Indigenous Term "Wai los, Kpelle; TôGe."
Object Description Black wooden mask - (Wai los, Kpelle; ToGe, Mano). Wood mask with a central vertical brow ridge of copper alloy (brass?), tubular eyes, a broad nose, pronounced cheeks and wide projecting mouth with real teeth and a moveable lower mandible covered with a red wool(?) textile. A 'beard' of plant fiber braids, some strung with seed pods, is attached to the bottom of the mask. The front surface is covered with a dark black accretion/encrustation. See the Conservation Record for additional information on materials and technology. Hears palaver and has a sacrifice of a sheep (formerly human) every year; seed on beard added with every sacrifice (several seeds missing);
Inventory Description Mask, carved wood, protruding metal ring eyes, articulated jaw, fiber and nut fr
Classification
  • Mask
Department Ethnographic
Date ca. 1850
Culture
  • Mano
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Africa / Liberia
Additional Geographic Terms Busi
Dimensions Overall: 33 x 25.3 x 16.5 cm (13 x 9 15/16 x 6 1/2 in.)
Quantity 2
Label on object 48-36-50/7315
Provenance
Collector Dr. George W. Harley (1947-1948 - 1948)
Donor Dr. George W. Harley

Important Note about Historical Language

Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share. Please email us with your comments.

PrimaryMedia Object Number Title Classification Geography/Provenience SHARE
Black wooden mask, Wai Los (kpelle)
2004.24.19500B Black wooden mask, Wai Los (kpelle)
Busi
Black wooden mask,  Wai Los
2004.24.19500A Black wooden mask, Wai Los
Busi
Wooden face mask
48-36-50/7384 Wooden face mask
Mask
Guinea
Wooden face mask.
37-77-50/2824 Wooden face mask.
Mask
Liberia
Black wooden mask with fur around snout (To la Ge) - comes to town when anyone
48-36-50/7317 Black wooden mask with fur around snout (To la Ge) - comes to town when anyone
Mask
Raw Material
Liberia
Wooden face mask
32-49-50/42 Wooden face mask
Mask
Raw Material
Ganta
Media Restricted
48-36-50/7379 Large wooden mask with horns, whiskers, beard, and trimmed with felt (Na Na Glu)
Mask
Guinea
Wooden face mask
33-55-50/123 Wooden face mask
Mask
Liberia
Yukuna dance mask for children
50-2-30/7216 Yukuna dance mask for children
Raw Material
Mask
Colombia
Wooden face mask.
40-34-50/4584 Wooden face mask.
Mask
Liberia
Black wooden mask with bird-like beak, Kpo go
2004.24.19535 Black wooden mask with bird-like beak, Kpo go
Kpao
Wooden mask
69-30-10/1606 Wooden mask
Mask
Raw Material
Alaska