ID: 700008595 Page link: http://vocab.getty.edu/page/cona/700008595	Record Type: Movable Work
Images: 1

Face mask (mmuo) (mmo mask; unknown Igbo peoples; early to mid-20th century; National Museum of African Art (Washington, DC, United State...; 2004-11-2)

Note: When worn with an appliquéd and embroidered fitted cloth costume, this face mask, with its elaborate coiffure and even features, transformed a male dancer into the ideal Igbo woman: someone who is both beautiful and good. The white color refers to the spirit world, and the elaborate black marks represent tattoos and body paint that emphasize natural beauty. The glass beads are an unusual embellishment and may have been added later as a sign of wealth and success.

Titles:

Face mask (mmuo) (preferred,C,U,RP,English,U,U)

Catalog Level: item

Work Types:

mmo mask [300404755] (preferred)

..... (Objects Facet, Furnishings and Equipment (hierarchy name), Costume (hierarchy name), costume (mode of fashion), <costume by function>, masks (costume), ceremonial masks)

Classifications:

sculptures (preferred)

costume / clothing

tribal art

Creation Date: early to mid-20th century

Creator Display:

unknown Igbo peoples [preferred,VP]

artists unknown Igbo (Igbo cultural designation) [500203439]

Locations:

Current: National Museum of African Art (Washington, DC, United States) [500311458] Smithsonian Institution, Corporate Bodies (Corp. Body)

Repository Numbers: 2004-11-2

Credit Line: Gift of Geraldine Dimondstein and museum purchase

Other: Creation: Nigeria [1000182] Africa (continent), World (facet) (Geographic)

Display Materials: Wood, textile, plant fiber, glass beads, metal, buttons, kaolin, encrustation

	textiles (visual works) [300014063]
	.......(Objects Facet, Visual and Verbal Communication (hierarchy name), Visual Works (hierarchy name), visual works (works), <visual works by material or technique>)

	plant fiber [300014031]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by form>, <materials by physical form>, <fiber and fiber by product>, fiber, natural fiber)

	beads (pierced objects) [300234006]
	.......(Objects Facet, Visual and Verbal Communication (hierarchy name), Visual Works (hierarchy name), visual works (works), <visual works by form>)

	glass (material) [300010797]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by composition>, inorganic material)

	kaolin [300010445]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by composition>, inorganic material, clay, <clay by composition or origin>)

	buttons (fasteners) [300239261]
	.......(Objects Facet, Components (hierarchy name), components (objects parts), <components by general context>, fasteners)

	wood (plant material) [300011914]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by origin>, biological material, plant material, <wood and wood by product>)

Dimensions: H x W x D: 47 x 30 x 23 cm (18 1/2 x 11 13/16 x 9 1/16 in.)

Cultures:

Igbo (preferred)

General Subject:

ceremonial objects (preferred,isness)

Specific Subjects:

	face (animal component) [300251798]
	.....(Objects Facet, Components (hierarchy name), components (objects parts), <components by specific context>, biological components, animal components) (AAT)

	ritual object [300312158]
	.....(Objects Facet, Object Genres (hierarchy name), object genres (object classifications), <object genres by function>, ceremonial objects) (AAT)

List/Hierarchical Position:

..... Movable Works

.......... Movable Works by class: decorative and utilitarian works

Sources and Contributors:
Face mask (mmuo)	........ [VP]
	........ National Museum of African Art [online] (1999-)

Subject: ....... [VP]

Note:
English	..... [VP]
	..... National Museum of African Art [online] (1999-)