West African passport mask modelled from clay in the form of a leopard from Benin.

This type of terracotta head is commonly referred to as a "Benin Passport" originating from West Africa. These highly decorated items were used as a form of passport when travelling or to identify the village a person belonged to. They were worn on a long necklace around the neck. Each piece is made by hand ensuring that no two are exactly the same and therefore can be considered a unique piece of African art in their own right.

Measures approx 5 inches in length.