Face Mask

Probably created during the 1950s in a commercial workshop in or near Korhogo, this metal face mask was acquired as a contemporary interpretation of earlier works that were an integral part of the cultural life of Senufo communities. Created as a secular reproduction for the art market, this piece was donated by art dealers Henri and Hélène Kamer donated to the Study Collection of The Museum of Primitive Art in 1963, as an interesting and well crafted example of works made in the "Senufo" style for European consumers. It is unfortunate that neither the exact location of the workshop, nor the name of the artist was documented as the author appears to have been part of the early generation of artists to reproduce works from their tradition as artifacts for Western consumption. In 1973, this mask was displayed in such a context, in the exhibition at the The Minneapolis Institue of Arts, "Fakes & Forgeries."