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Female Face Mask, Bamana, Late 19th/early 20th century
Bamana

Female Face Mask

Late 19th/early 20th century · Mask

Can I see it?

Not on view at present

Where is “Female Face Mask” now? Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.

Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked
In this state since
Source
The museum
On the mapMuseum page

About the sculpture

Variously attributed to the culturally related Bamana, Marka, or Sorogo peoples, this small mask with its striking indigo-blue color and decorative copper strips shows signs of intense usage. It depicts a beautiful and alluring Fulani maiden named Meren, a popular character in entertainment performances sponsored by youth associations among the Bamana and their related neighbors. The Fulani are a large group of Islamic nomadic merchants and pastoralists that ranges widely over West Africa.

Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0

Details

Accession number
2006.107

What it shows

MaskFemalesMaidenPeople

In the catalog

SculptureWoodPost-war art20th centuryBamanaArts of AfricaNorthern Africa and the SahelSegouAfrican ArtSorogoMarkaMali

Sources

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