Mossi Ancestral Mask

Mossi sculptors were such a venerated caste they lived, married, and performed rituals entirely separate from their neighbors. The detail and coloration of this rare ancestral mask shows us why. Believed to be the literal vessel of a deceased chieftain's soul, these masks would only appear during the most important ceremonies. Its sculptural presence comes from an integration of geometric and organic features. Masks, like this one, are credited as inspiration for the mixture of forms found in early 20th century Western Expressionism.