Awesome tribal mask, where is it from? Era?

This belonged to my father who received it from a doctor of religion who has traveled the world. My dad couldn't recall where he said it came from, but he believes he was told it may have been used for rain dances etc?
Here's some photos. . . .what is it?

 

Hi Megan and welcome! Fortunately there are some members of the board who are very good with tribal items. Unfortunately it's not me but I do have a couple of masks so I find them interesting.

I was thinking maybe it's an African Marka mask but things about it make me wonder if that's wrong, like the slanting eyes.

Anyway I'm sure those that know will be along.

 

Say it slowly,
Thank you for your quick response! And yes, I love masks too! But I know nothing about them. I found a few courtesy of Google lol, that are similar, but not exact. . . .but that's the point right? No 2 are the same? I can't remember which tribe but if I recall anything it started with an "S" and maybe from South Africa? Again, I could be totally wrong, it's been a while!
Thanks again and I'm looking forward to others responses! This gets exciting!

 

possibly a take on an old style of Senufo mask.......

 

MARKA MASK? West african? That's what I remember researching a while back. I found a similar one online. . . . Of course no two will ever be the same so it's hard to really identify which tribe created it, and what it was used for. I attached a pic of the one I found on ebay that is similar.
Thanks for the responses. . . . .and keep them coming! You are all so wonderful!

 

Yes, a Senufo Kpelie mask, from the Ivory Coast, characterized by the elongated shape with pointed chin, the leg-like appendages, and the scarification marks. Very similar to some Marka masks, but the little "legs" are the key feature of Senufo Kpelie masks.

The mask has nothing to do with "rain dances." It is danced at boys' initiation ceremonies into the Poro Society, at funerals, and at harvest festivals.

 

Sorry...
Here's the similar one I found. . . . .do you all think it's a Marka?

 

Wow! You are on point! Thank you so much, as now we finally know what it is and it's origin. Would you care to estimate a value? We don't plan to sell it, as it's going to be a perfect conversation piece on the wall at my new home I just bought (moving this month). Would be nice to know if it does in fact have any value?

 

It's probably not a good idea to use eBay listings as a "reference" for identifying tribal and ethnic arts. There are several good print references, including the one I always recommend first when it comes to African masks: Masks of Black Africa by Ladislas Segy. EBay can, at times, be helpful in terms of seeing what items are selling for, but not always.

It looks like a good example of a mid-20th century mask. It doesn't fit into the "airport" art category, but was still most likely made for sale, rather than for actual use. African masks like this usually appeal to a rather small group of collectors, which also can differ considerably depending on where one lives.

As someone who lives with masks like this in my home, I can say it's definitely one I would display. It's not going to finance your retirement, but will give you years of enjoyment. Most of the similar masks on the market usually sell in the under-$500 range. It's only those that have the documented provenance, and have been actually used culturally, that command significant prices.

 

Understood thanks for all the info! I love the mask dearly and am always searching for similar masks at auctions and garage sales, etc.

 

I used to volunteer next to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and wandered over where I really enjoyed their collection including masks. They have so much life!

https://vmfa.museum/collections/results/?fwp_collection=99b70d67ae7cbc44cd9105912f91ae5d