Bobo Bronze Family Mask

Round face, small horns, mouth wide open. It looks as though it has just been told something.

Bobo people, Burkina Faso, early twentieth century. A bronze mask about seven inches tall, rounded like a dish, with two small horns rising from the brow. Two round eyes and one large open mouth, set in a dull gray-green surface. It stands on a black metal mount.

A family mask, as the title has it. Whether it laughs or startles, the mouth gives it a lively face.

Hang it facing the door. Call it a greeting.