Dogon Sirige or Dama Dance Mask

Twelve feet of carved plank, with two long hollows where the eyes ought to be.

Dogon dama rites, which close a period of mourning, are known for their masked dancers, and the sirige towers over the rest. This sirige or dama dance mask is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, mid 20th century, in pigment on carved wood with rope. A narrow, pointed face holds two deep rectangular channels, each pierced by a small square opening. Above it, diamonds of red and pale pigment fill a solid panel, then the plank turns to open bars. A small hole marks the chin. It rises 145.5 inches.

Its height is the whole argument.