This hand carved Toma mask is an interesting pieces of artwork. There are triangular shapes carved into the forehead and circular shapes throughout. It has a large, broad nose and a large mouth. There is a missing part of the horn, and cracks and chips on the bottom. This mask does not come with a stand but one can be added for an additional fee – please inquire.
| Type of Object | Face Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Guinea |
| Ethnicity | Toma, Thoma |
| Material | Wood and pigment |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 50" |
| Width (Inches) | 13” |
| Depth (Inches) | 4.5" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 18 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Missing part of horns and cracks and chips on the bottom. |
Tribe Information
About the Toma People
“The Toma people of Guinea (known as Loma in Liberia) number 200,000 and live in the high-altitude rain forest lying across the Guinea-Liberia border. Artistically, their reputation rests on their Landai mask which has an articulated crocodile jaw and a flattened, stylized human face. This mask symbolically devours Poro society candidates at the end of their initiation period, after which they are revived as full members of this sodality. Some rare figures exist which are kept within each household.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.