A Kpelie mask, crafted by the Senufo people of Ivory Coast, West Africa. Carved from wood, this mask plays a central role in Senufo initiation ceremonies and funerary rites, serving as a conduit between the living and the ancestral spirits. The masks distinctive features include symmetrical projections on both sides of the face, a pointed forehead, slit eyes, a long, narrow, concave nose, and a round, protruding, small mouth with two rows of teeth. One of the most notable aspects of the Kpelie mask is its crests, which can take disparate forms and symbolize various aspects of Senufo cosmology. In the case of the present mask, the crest features a figure with open wings. Provenance: Ex. Thomas McNemar Collection of Bob Banks Maryland. Dates to the early or mid 20th century. Antique And Vintage African Tribal Collectibles.

Dimensions: L 17 1/4 x W 8 1/4 in. All measurements are approximate.