Ram Mask Item Number: 3416/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Wooden mask of a ram. Thin, tapering face with O-shaped mouth, long ears and curling horns. Semi-circle design on top centre of head decorated with diagonal and vertical incisions. Two columns of squares carved in low relief down centre of semi-circle. Thin columns of rectangles, carved in low relief, run down centre of face, in between the eyes. Eyes are narrow and vertical, with raised edges, and painted white. Mask is dark brown-red and highly polished. Curled ends of horns are made of sheep horn, painted white. Ears of ram, hanging down between the face and horns, flare outwards from the face and are made of sheep horn, painted white. Two oval-shaped nostrils are above the mouth, with raised edges. Areas around eyes, mouth, nostrils and entirety of horns have incised decorations across them. Mask has small hole for mouth. The back rim of the mask is plain and has two holes along the top for ties.

History Of Use

Goli masquerades, imported during the early twentieth century from the neighbouring Wan, are performed at funerals and popular entertainments.

Narrative

Previously danced (along with ram mask 3416/1).

Iconographic Meaning

In Baule mythology the ram is a spirit of agriculture.

Item History

What

Name
Ram Mask
Identification Number
3416/2
Type of Item
mask
Material
wood, sheep horn and paint
Overall
height 28.3 cm, width 15.7 cm, depth 12.5 cm

Who

Culture
Baule
Previous Owner
Kazuhiko Komatsu
Received from
Kazuhiko Komatsu (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Cote d'Ivoire

When

Creation Date
during 1970
Ownership Date
before December 18, 2019
Acquisition Date
on December 18, 2019

Other

Condition
fair
Accession Number
3416/0002