Bassa masks were used during men’s ceremonial rites and for entertainment. This example is small, simple, and powerful.

Cf. Robbins and Nooter (1989: 165, fig. 321), Meneghini (2006, fig. 13), and Wittmer, Lamp, and Reed (2005).

REFERENCES

Meneghini, Mario. Collecting African Art in Liberia and Neighboring Countries,

1963-1989. Gavirate: Nicolini editore, 2006.

Robbins, Warren M., and Nancy I. Nooter. African Art in American Collections.

Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989.

Wittmer, Marcilene K., Frederick Lamp, and Daniel B. Reed. Imaging and Identity:

African Art from the Lowe Art Museum and South Florida Collections. Coral Gables,

FL: Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, 2005.