Item Description: A hornbill (bird) with abstract human eyes and nose. The head is carved separately from the body and can be removed. However, when attached, the joint is flush.

Cultural Profile: The Baga live between the Western Sudan to the northeast and the Western Guinea Coast, to the southeast. They belong to the Simo society and use combinations of animal and human figures in their art styles. This sculpture is reported to be a shrine figure Tshol/Elek. The unique African hornbill is featured in art of the Baga, Senufo and Ashanti. While the coloring of this bird image is similar to published hornbills of the Senufo, the human-like eye and nose along with the incised lines on body and beak are reminiscent of the two piece elek of the Baga.