A miniature D'Mba shoulder mask originating from the Baga people of Guinea. This item was made for export in the 20th century. The larger versions are up to 8 feet tall. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art:
Unlike masked representations from other African cultures, which may represent ethereal spirits or ancestors, D'mba is not a "spirit," but instead is loosely described by the Baga themselves as simply an "idea." D'mba is an abstraction of the ideal of the female role in Baga society. She is honored as the universal mother and is the vision of woman at the zenith of her power, beauty, and affective presence.
16x8x11
Available for in-store pickup only until 7/30.