Grebo Mask with Horns Liberia

The Grebo people live in southeast Liberia on the border with Ivory Coast. The Grebo mask is renowned for influencing western art, with Picasso being one of the collectors of these masks. The unique geometry of these masks, with a flat face, long nose, and protruding lips, is a masterpiece of sculpture.

Little is known about the use of masks among the Grebo other than the fact that they are said to have been worn during wars by leaders as a kind of military costume. The masks were worn by the leaders of a warrior's age set lead and terrify the enemy. Though not worn for warfare today they are worn at the funeral ceremonies of elders. This mask was worn on the face as seen in the eyeholes drilled on either side of the nose. In the past other larger Grebo masks were worn on the top of the head as a kind of helmet. This mask is indeed a great sculpture straddling the world of traditional African sculpture and modern art.

From the Collection of Robert Pearson, Denver, Colorado

Bob Pearson began collecting African art later in his life. He was an engineer, inveterate climber, and long-time collector of books and paintings. Spurred by the Douglas Society at the Denver Museum of Art, and his friendship with noted collector George Heggarty, he began building an enormous, eclectic collection. His African art library grew to several hundred books. He loved textiles and material culture- things that had domestic use, like spoons, cups, stools, and chairs, as well as masks and carvings. His collection included items from more than thirty African countries, and his fine eye gave him pieces ranging from a gold-dust scale to huge Dogon figural ladders. Africa Direct is honored to have been chosen to sell them.

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