Crest Masks

Description

Representing water spirits, these inventive crest masks combine various animal parts, including the horns of antelope and rams, and the tusks and trunks of elephants. Along with the water birds pegged on the front and back of each crest—one of which is missing—these animals refer to land and water, the human world and the supernatural underwater realm—both domains where water spirits exercise their power.

Provenance

Richard Faletti (died 2006) and Barbara Faletti (died 2000), Chicago, Ill. and Phoenix, Ariz., by 1997; given to the Art Institute, 2000.

Crest Masks

Yoruba

Late 19th or early 20th century

Accession Number

273357

Medium

Wood, pigment, and string

Dimensions

26.4 × 21 × 42.2 cm (10 3/8 × 8 1/4 × 16 5/8 in.)

Classification

masks

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family Collection