Grebo Tribal Mask

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Collection

African Art Collection

Description

This 19th century Grebo mask has an oval face with round eyes, small hole for the mouth and a spike extending from the top of the head. Metal strips with jagged saw-like edges are strategically placed around the mask. A plane metal strip of metal covers the nose. The mask is very old and has insect damage, most prominent on the top and back of the mask. The mask is in fair condition.

General Note

GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Liberia, Grebo. The Grebo people of Liberia are an ethnic group or subgroup within the larger Kru group of West Africa. The Grebo occupy the southwestern corner of Liberia. The Grebo have what is known as bush schools (poro for males and Sande for females) where adolescents go for training and the rights-of-passage. The Grebo, in the 1800s developed close relationships with returned slaves from the United States, some of whom were resettled in Grebo areas.

Artists/Makers

Grebo Liberia Read Biography

Grebo

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GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Liberia, Grebo. The Grebo people of Liberia are an ethnic group or subgroup within the larger Kru group of West Africa. The Grebo occupy the southwestern corner of Liberia. The Grebo have what is known as bush schools (poro for males and Sande for females) where adolescents go for training and the rights-of-passage. The Grebo, in the 1800s developed close relationships with returned slaves from the United States, some of whom were resettled in Grebo areas.

Student Work

No

Culture

Grebo

Geography

Liberia

Medium

Wood, metal, and tacks

Classification

Mask

Accession Number

2022.01.052

Accession Date

May 2022

Donated By

Reginald and Celeste Hodges

Donation Date

May 2022