West Africa, Mali, Dogon people, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A classic example of one of the most striking Dogon artifacts, a mask known as a "kanaga." Hand-carved from wood, the mask itself features a face with a rectangular form and deep, hollowed out channels for the eyes. A sharply acute angle in the center of the face acts as the nose, and there is no mouth. Two long, projecting rectangles with deep grooves down their length form ears. The edges of the mask are perforated, and thick twisted rope is wound through them, forming supports for wearing the mask. The mask has a huge superstructure composed of a tall, narrow, flat board that projects from the top of the head, two horizontal boards that project from it, and four small boards, one attached to each end of the horizontal boards. This forms a double-barred cross. Bold, very bright blue, black, and white pigment form geometric designs over much of the surface, with leather straps - some with fur still present - tied in X, square, and hourglass shapes at the junctures of the different boards. Size: 7.8" L x 26.25" W x 41" H (19.8 cm x 66.7 cm x 104.1 cm); 44.25" H (112.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Masks like this one are worn at the dama, which is a funerary rite for Dogon men. Dogon dancers wear them to honor the dead, and to communicate with them as they travel to the spiritual realm. Dancers rotate their upper bodies, swinging the masks in wide circles in imitation of the creator god, known as Amma, with the long reach of their masks and arms meant to symbolically spread creation throughout the world. These masks are made by the members of the Awa male initiation society, who are also the performers.

See a very similar example at the Brooklyn Museum (1995.171.11a-c). Their website has a fantastic video of dancers wearing masks like this one.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#126165

Expected wear from use, age, and handling. Small losses with inactive insect damage to the wood, especially on the lower horizontal board and its two attachments. Small cracks on surface. Surface shows clear signs of use. Excellent remaining pigment, especially the bright blue.