A Toma Mask, Liberia

the flat face with large mouth showing teeth, the protruding forehead with two ridged bands surmounted by two pairs of openwork ram's horns and a bird's head; fine dark brown encrusted patina.

Jef Vander Straete, Lasne
Morris J. Pinto, Paris and New York
Sotheby's-New York, 26 May 1978, Lot 183
Sotheby's-London, 16 June 1980, Lot 193
Sotheby's-New York, 17 June 1991, Lot 92
Ferry Herrebrugh, Amstelveen (The Netherlands)
Sotheby's, London, June 17, 1991, lot 93

 

Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, The Tribal Arts of Africa: Surveying Africa's Artistic Geography, London, 1998, p. 25, fig. 6

 

very good condition overall; protruding hand on left cracked, top pair of horns cracked through middle, age crack on reverse; areas of abrasion, wear and tear form traditional use; fine dark brown encrusted patina.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Dramatic in its appearance, this mask was used during ceremonies of the poro society of the Toma or Loma people ini Liberia and Guinea. Little is known about the precise function of this type. In the literature (van Damme 1987: 9, figure 6; Leuzinger 1971: 106, figure 17) two closely related masks are referred to as okobuzogi. According to Gaisseau (1953: 96-97) the two components of the word 'oko' and 'zogi' translate as 'oko the magician' and refer to the mythical founder of the Toma town Touweleou. However, Siegmann (personnal communication 9/29/2006) emphasizes that this refers rather to the personal name of a particular mask found in this specific town than to the name of a class of masks. Instead he suggests that examples like the present lot may well be a regional version of the more common Toma mask form known as landai (also referred to as dandai).