UCLA

Komo masks from West Africa are known for their complex and fragile surfaces accumulated over time as a consequence of ceremonial use. This examination begins with a review of the cultural context for the masks and a discussion of the ethics of performing research on these objects found in museum collections. Additionally, conservators at thirty museums with komo masks in their collections were surveyed to gather information on the history of komo mask treatments and current conservation approaches to these complex objects. The surfaces of two komo masks and reference materials are analyzed using polarized light microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction. The results were then compared with the materials expected based on a literature review, including kola nuts, millet flour, blood, clays, crushed bone, and plant gum. Cross section samples are investigated using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to map the locations of organic and inorganic components. The results are discussed in relation to the ethical issues of the research. The analysis identified the presence of blood, proteinaceous material, plant fibers, burned plant fibers, alumino-silicate clay, quartz, and red iron ochre particles.