West Africa, Burkina Faso, Bwa peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A splendid and sizeable wooden mask depicting a nature spirit in the form of a stylized hawk or vulture, known as a duho. Embellished in white, red, and black pigments, the impressive vizard presents a lengthy, horizontal body resembling a pair of wings that spans over 4 feet and curves upward at each end. A pair of concentric circle eyes gaze outwards, flanking a conical open mouth at the center of the piece. The wings are decorated with several horizontal registers of a triangular pattern. An annular, recessed area, which likely previously held the hooked beak, is featured just above the mouth. The verso is also adorned with bold geometric designs and an ovoid area surrounded by circular drill holes, allowing the mask to be worn. Traditionally, masks like this example were worn by performers who would bite a thick fiber rope tied to the drill holes of the verso to hold the mask to their face. Size: 52.5" L x 11.75" W (133.4 cm x 29.8 cm)

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "In Bwa society, the identity and continued well-being of a family are often tied to a nature spirit. The origin of this association may be a dream or even an encounter with a spirit who materializes in animal form. Upon consulting a priest, a family may commission a sculpture to embody that nature spirit. The masks appear at important funerals to honor the dead and escort their soul to the world beyond. They also dance at agricultural festivities to ensure the proper progression of the seasons, and at initiation rituals to help introduce young men and women to the secrets and responsibilities of adulthood. The masks are the object of family pride and are also an unofficial means of representing its prosperity and influence. Rival families will compete to assemble the most innovative and spectacular performances. Consequently, families will commission the carving of a multitude of masks—as many as nine different masks may represent an individual extended family. The elaborate decorations, the impressive size and design of the mask, as well as dynamic choreography all add to the grandeur and prestige of the event."

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection, acquired in the late 1980s to as recently as 2017

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#165924

Missing beak. Some expected chips, nicks, and abrasions. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigments.