A terracotta mask of the Ewe, about 30 cm high, shaped like the head of a pig-like beast. A broad snout with two nostrils, two raised oval eyes and two large coiled projections on top make up its face.

1. Form and Modelling

The mask is modelled in clay as a rounded, slightly tapering head. At the bottom, a broad snout with two open nostrils is set off from the face by a ridged band. The eyes are two raised, oval bosses on the sides of the face. On top, two large projections curve outward and upward, each ending in a coiled, bun-like knob with ribbed bands, and they give the head its wide, horned outline. The forms are heavy and rounded, with little fine detail.

2. Use and Context

According to the collection catalogue, this terracotta mask was not worn. It was kept on the domestic altar of the sacrificial priest of Guinzin, according to the source from whom the piece was obtained, the fetishist Codjo of Guinzin village. As with other voodoo-type objects, the catalogue considers it probably a very personal cult object, in the form of a mythical beast and belonging to the fetishist himself.

3. Surface

The clay is a light, sandy brown with scattered black patches, which are densest around the eyes, the snout and the coiled projections. A whitish patch marks the upper right of the forehead. The surface is matte and slightly rough, with small areas of loss along the edges.

Summary

A heavy clay mask in the form of a pig-like mythical beast, made for the domestic altar of a priest and not for wearing.