double-faced head crest
double-faced head crest
Culture
Boki people
Creation date
late 19th to early 20th century
Materials
wood, basketry, cloth, fiber, brass, teeth
Dimensions
15 1/2 x 8 x 10 1/4 in.
Credit line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
Accession number
1989.899
Currently On View In
Eiteljorg Suite of African and Oceanic Art
An important women’s association probably controlled this mask, although men probably wore it. This mask was once topped with an elaborate hairstyle, which was made of fiber and cloth. Double-faced masks such as the ones on this platform are more correctly termed janus-faced. Janus refers to two heads facing in opposite directions.
