Senufo Poro Society Kpeliye "beautiful Lady" Mask, Based

Horns curl up, a spiked crest rises, and the face below stays perfectly composed.

This Poro Society kpeliye, or beautiful lady, mask is Senufo, from Ivory Coast, West Africa, and dates to the early 20th century. It is wood. Kpeliye masks are generally associated with the Poro society and are often said to honor ideals of female beauty. The oval face has narrow eyes under arched brows, a long nose and a small mouth. Curved horns and feathered bars project at the sides, finlike panels flank the cheeks. It is mounted on a stand and is 16 inches high and 6.75 wide.

Serene in the middle, busy at every edge.