Featured Bronze African brooch or pendant ?

Here's a little 2 1/4" lngth by 1 1/2" wdth piece.It's bronze,sand cast (?),it has a homemade pin on reverse perhaps for attaching.
PS-Few spots of glue on reverse.

 

I cant really help except to say I love her. I think shes very old too.

 

Thanks Johnny-I'm terrible at judging the true age of tribal items.I think our lady @Any Jewelry has superb instincts though.

 

It is at least a few centuries old imo, and beautiful. I love that soft, mellow look of the metal.
I agree African, likely somewhere in West Africa. Probably repurposed, the pin thing doesn't look very appropriate or comfortable.

I would show it to a museum or university with an African department. Also tagging @2manybooks .

 

It could be an extremely worn example of a type of miniature mask referred to as a "passport" mask. I am sure the brass rod across the back is not original to the piece, and may have been part of a display mount.

Here is a good explanation of the function of such miniatures -

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/colle...When a mask-owner is,name of "passport mask."

 

Wow, For intrest sake where did you find this?

 

That was interesting to read. Thank you

 

Thanks all for the insightful comments re function,age,and area of origin.
I found it in a $5 grab bag at a garage sale.

 

I've been looking for altered mini passport masks and so far haven't found any.Here's a closeup of the cut where the 'rod' or pin sits-it doesn't look filed,but perhaps made as part of the original sand cast.The little forehead dots look applied (soldered on ?).
PS-Yes,will send out pics to African Art Depts. at Universities/Museums/Auction Sites.I usually send to multiple sources as most of these venues are quite busy (overwhelmed)

 

If it is, in fact, a passport mask from West Africa it would probably be a lost wax casting, made with a wax model, rather than sand cast. The dots on the forehead look consistent with little balls of wax on the model. The gap on the side may have been a flaw in the original casting, or damage that was eventually worn down like the rest of the face.

 

I don't think they were usually altered, yours could be the only one. Which doesn't mean it is more valuable, it is simply a construction that shouldn't really be there. The mask proper is a little beauty.

Yes, some don't reply, for various reasons. You wil keep us posted, won't you?

 

AJ & @2many-Your opinions are really helpful.I'll be sending out queries soon.I love these little art/archaeological mysteries-good & mediocre finds quickly ID'ed are boring.