Fali Wood Passport Mask

Small masks travel well. That was rather the point.

Across West Africa, masks belong to ritual, ceremony and initiation, and the full-sized ones are not for casual hands. This one, made by the Fali of Cameroon or Nigeria in the 20th century, is the pocket edition. Carved wood, nearly ten inches tall on its stand. The oval face narrows to a pointed chin. Heavy lids, downcast eyes, arched brows, a broad nose, full lips. Rolled knobs of hair crown the head, and the reddish-brown surface has gone smooth from handling.

It looks down. You will find yourself lowering your voice.