Mask with Horns c. mid 20th century

This "Mask with Horns" was made by an anonymous artist at an unknown date with clay. Imagine the artist holding a lump of clay, feeling its cool, yielding texture. They patiently coaxed this mask into being, eyes staring out, snakes writhing. I see the artist carefully building up the horns, adding those tiny, precise details with the tip of a tool, pushing and prodding the clay. Did they have a vision in mind, or did the mask emerge organically from the material, guided by intuition? I'm drawn to the contrast between the smooth, dark surface of the mask and the bright, playful colors of the snakes. Each stripe, each curve, feels deliberate, adding a layer of complexity and meaning. It reminds me that art often comes from deep within, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.