ClassificationsAfrican Art

Poro Society mask

Possible OriginLiberia, Africa

CultureDan

Date20th Century

MediumShell, cloth, leopard fur, fiber, wood, pigment

Credit LineGift of Jordan Greene Holtam

DimensionsMaximum: 44 × 16 × 25 1/2 in. (111.8 × 40.6 × 64.8 cm)

Object number2022.011.005

Label TextThe Dan, which encompasses several ethnic groups that live in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, have diverse masking traditions that express a multitude of spirits. Spirits and ancestors are called upon to participate in the human world to entertain, teach, and help the community. This Poro mask, even when it is not worn, is imbued with a lifeforce and gives shape to powerful spirits.

Though performed by men for Poro, a male secret society, this mask depicts feminine characteristics such as the smooth facial features and oval outlines with a conical headpiece. Poro masks are considered to be born of the forest and are made from materials such as feathers, furs, and animal fangs. This poro mask is nearly complete with its woven cloth, which covers the masker’s upper body, and leopard fur on the canonical headpieces that is accented with cowry shells. Each Poro mask is commissioned for a specific purpose and they are performed for spiritual festivals and entertainment. Over time, a mask may gain even more respect and become the representative spirit-mask of a community. Thus, each Dan mask has its own journey.
Exhibition HistoryDivine Intervention: African Art and Religion, Michael C. Carlos Museum, February 5 - December 4, 2011
MCCM Permanent Collection Rotation, January 23, 2021 - Present

ProvenanceEx coll. Jordan (1932-2021) and Beth Holtam, United States, collected in Liberia, 1958-1976.

Status

On view

Collections