This volume presents nearly 250 of the finest African masks from the Barbier-Mueller Collection. The introduction describes how the masks are constructed, examines their significance in African culture and offers insight into the universal practice of masquerading.

This volume presents nearly 250 of the finest African masks from the Barbier-Mueller Collection. The book includes 100 colour plates accompanied by in-depth descriptions, as well as numerous black-and-white photographs of the masks as they are used in religious and secular celebrations. The introduction describes how the masks are constructed, examines their significance in African culture and offers insight into the universal practice of masquerading.