Lot 100, Auction 4/20/2026: Guinea-Bissau Papier Mache Carnival Mask Grotesque Face

$650.00

In stock

West Africa, Guinea-Bissau, ca. 1980s CE. A large and striking papier-mache carnival mask, created for pre-Lenten spring parades – a vibrant cultural tradition blending local creativity with festive celebration. Painted in pastel hues, the mask depicts a grotesque creature with exaggerated features: a skeletal nose, fang-like teeth, and bulging eyes, evoking a blend of the mythical and the monstrous. These masks were typically shaped using clay molds, which helped form the fantastical visages as the papier-mache dried. While they appear surreal and theatrical, the masks were often ephemeral, discarded after the celebration. Each one is wholly unique, tailored to the individual creator’s imagination – some inspired by traditional myths or spiritual beings, others drawn from satirical portrayals of daily life. Size: 13″ W x 19″ H (33 cm x 48.3 cm)

Condition: Some scuffs and stains. Some indentations and tears, along the top of head and nose. Good condition.

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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