Unknown

11 inches, painted wood, fabric

Toma, Bamana or Dogon? Guinea or Mali? One collector I showed it to thought it might be from Western Sudan or Gabon. Another thought it might be Tanzanian. This dramatic mask appears to be some kind of bird, but I can not identify it as to culture. Carved from a solid piece of heavy hardwood, it has a lot of old insect damage that is especially evident from the rear. Note the colorful pattern on the fabric.