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Helmet Mask
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Combining animal and human traits, this example of a genre of mask called suruku , meaning “hyena,” most likely belonged to the Korè, one of six power associations that the Malinke would have adopted from their Bamana neighbors. The Korè is concerned with the circumcision and initiation of male youths into adulthood. The mask probably served as one of the symbols of the different Korè classes.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineHelmet Mask, mid- to late 1800s. Africa, West Africa, Mali, Malinke-style blacksmith-carver. Wood and probably resin; overall: 47 cm (18 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund, 2004.84
