Dogon Bronze Mask, Mali, Based

Brows, cheeks and lips all outlined in metal, and the whole face set firmly.

This mask, based, is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. Dogon masks are among the best known in African art, generally associated with funerary ceremonies, and are made in many forms. This one is an oval face with a domed forehead framed by a ridge of small bumps. Raised metal bands outline the brows, the long straight nose and the cheeks, with zigzag borders beneath the slit eyes. Spiral motifs flank the round open mouth. The surface is a rust brown with brighter metal on the high points. It is 8 inches wide and 11 high.

Serious, symmetrical and quite sure of itself.