Western Africa, Mali, Bamana peoples, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful and fascinating wooden mask depicting an oval face, hand-carved from a single piece of wood, with a pronged headdress and cowrie shells. The visage is stylized with a jutting, angular nose, drilled lips, and drilled holes under the brow for the wearer to see through. Two shells create the mask's eyes, and shells are attached across the brow. The surface of the face is further decorated with incised linear designs that represent ritualistic scarification. The protruding ears are perforated for additional ornamentation. Surmounted on top is a rod with a smaller head with similar facial features. A large two-pronged headdress rises from the back. The surface of the wood is a pretty nut-brown hue that has become richer with age. Learn more about the Ntomo society that used comb-like headdresses like this example in the extended description below. Size: 30.5" L x 5.5" W x 32" H (77.5 cm x 14 cm x 81.3 cm)

Bamana people have six societies for men, and this mask is representative of the Ntomo, a society for boys before circumcision. They would dance with such masks during their initiation rituals, marking their transition from boys to men. The pronged headdress represents the seeds of creation from the god which created the universe. Interestingly, the number of prongs indicates the gender of the mask; the 2 on this mask indicates androgynous.

Provenance: private New York City, New York, USA collection; ex-New York Dr Saul Tuttman lifetime collection

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#141386

Missing five shells. Abrasions and chips to peripheries and high-pointed areas, with stable fissures. Nice patina.