Toma passport mask, antique patinated wood, 16 cm, with stand

This small, carved, dark wood mask from the Toma (or Thoma) ethnic group of Liberia or Guinea is a passport mask, a ceremonial miniature serving as a personal or family emblem. Typical of this tradition, it incorporates the stylized and expressive features of the large initiation masks, here reduced to a more intimate scale. It measures 16 cm (27 cm with the base). The oval face is dominated by a pair of vertical horns, a symbol of authority or strength. The half-closed eyes, the nose carved in relief with incised motifs, and the discreet mouth are integrated into a balanced volume. The wood has a beautiful dark patina, marked by traces of use, old cracks, and small perforations. The mask is mounted on a turned wooden base with a brass rod, a contemporary addition that is not original. Toma passport masks were often worn or kept as talismans, associated with Poro secret societies. This one offers a fine example of this type of artifact, both ethnographic and decorative.