Heart of Grief Nigerian Wood Wall Mask

With eyes closed, a face is filled with sorrow in this mask by Abdul Aziz Mohamadu. 'Among the Hausa people of Nigeria, such masks are given to a widow or widower,' he explains. 'They believe the spirit of the mask will give the bereaved person a large heart to deal with the pain of loss. Anytime he or she sets eyes on this mask, the grieving one will get some inner peace.' He names the piece Zurufi, a Hausa word meaning 'Deep Heart.'

• materials: African rubberwood and aluminum

10.75 in. H x 6.75 in. W x 2.4 in. D