carved door, unrecorded Senufo artist

Artwork Overview

unrecorded Senufo artist, carved door
unrecorded Senufo artist, carved door
unrecorded Senufo artist
carved door
late 1800s–1975
carved door, late 1800s–1975
Where object was made: Côte d'Ivoire
Material/technique: carving; wood
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 156 x 60 x 3.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 61 7/16 x 23 5/8 x 1 3/8 in
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. Kenneth Palmer
Accession number: 2007.3117
Not on display
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Exhibition Label: "Roots and Journeys: Encountering Global Arts and Cultures," Jul-2011, Nancy Mahaney Carved wooden doors with mask images, human figures and animals commonly adorn the homes and shrines of prestigious members of Senufo communities. The motif on this door is associated with Poro, a male secret society whose main function is to guarantee a good relationship between the realm of the living and the ancestors. The left and right top corners of the door are decorated with images of a kpeli-yehe mask. The kpeli-yehe design is characterized by antelope horns rising from the head, a flange extending from both sides of the face, and a rectangular mouth with teeth exposed. These masks are meant to represent beautiful women and are worn by Poro society members during initiation and funeral ceremonies.