Unusual wooden figure with copper or brass strip ornament on the face and body.
This is a highly unusual figure: the only known example of its kind. It's protruding forehead and copper strip decoration suggests that it may be associated with a group of masks that have been associated with the Temne Ka Bemba (the 'grandfather') maqueraders, who preside over initiation into the male Poro society. These masks were predominantly collected at end of the twentieth, suggesting this may by of a similar age. The brass work is originally likely to have been shiney, in stark contrast to the darkened wood. Some damage has occurred to the legs of the figure, which appear as though a part, or parts, have broken off. it may be that these legs were attached to each other, forming a handle.
