{"product_id":"dan-wood-carved-poro-initiation-mask-1","title":"Dan Wood Carved Poro Initiation Mask","description":"Carved from a dense hardwood, this powerful fragmentary mask originates from the Dan, Mano, or related Kran peoples inhabiting the Upper Guinea forest region of Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. Associated with the men’s Poro initiation society, the carving embodies the presence of an unseen bush spirit (ge or gle). Mask height 9 inches (22.9 cm); taller on custom display stand.  Its facial architecture features a high, rounded forehead that swells over heavy, arched brow ridges, giving way to large, pierced oval eye sockets accented with fine perimeter notching. A prominent, triangular nose descends sharply above fleshy, parted lips revealing carved teeth, while the lower face terminates in an elongated, rounded chin extension symbolizing the wisdom and authority of an elder.  The mask exhibits profound signs of age, ritual use, and long-term environmental exposure. Substantial vertical loss along the proper left flank and lower jaw reveals the deeply eroded, fibrous grain beneath, accentuating its expressive, sculptural silhouette. The reverse remains hollowed with visible adze tooling and lateral attachment holes where a raffia beard or concealing textile hood was once secured.    From the Estate of Ronald Blatt, owner of Blatt Billiards, in New York City\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Art for Eternity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67631093055802,"sku":"17922","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0775\/5120\/6714\/files\/100794.jpg?v=1791221836","url":"https:\/\/howardnowes.com\/products\/dan-wood-carved-poro-initiation-mask-1","provider":"Art for Eternity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}