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Plate
10
A
Challenge mask. The smooth flesh of the face is skin-covered. In the
possession of the authors, it was bought with only the remnants of skin
attached to the mask and was re-covered by a local expert. The skin used
was that of a ram, colour being added afterwards (camwood powder). The
tribal marks are shown by small discs of gourd pinned to the surface of
the mask. The skin is attached to the wood by tiny bamboo pins in the
ears, behind the nostrils and under the chin. The eye hollows were left
unadorned, shadows giving the impression of eyes in a remarkable way.
The head-dress exaggerates the elongation of the mask. The origins of
this mask are not certain since it was bought in Fontem from a trader
and may be from the western forest regions.
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