African Art Early Arts Ivory Coast Sénoufo Diminutive Passport Mask Carved Bone 1920/50

TRIBAL ART-AFRICAN ART-EARLY ARTS WEST AFRICA IVORY COAST SÉNOUFO ETHNICITY 1ST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY CIRCA 1930​​​​​​ Interesting diminutive passport mask (miniature) in carved bone, from West Africa, from Côte-D 'Ivory, from the Sénoufo ethnic group; it is beautifully handcrafted. From the first half of the 20th century, around 1920/30. The primary function of these diminutive masks, called "passports", is to protect the people who wear them, particularly against witchcraft. They can also be used in divination rituals. Their last but not least useful use is a means of proving/certifying the origin and rank of the wearer; hence the name/qualification passport. Very good condition (a small accident on one of the tips; see descriptive photos). Weight: 30.56 grams.