Western Africa, Mali, Bamana peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A beautiful and fascinating wooden mask with additional tin, cloth, and shell adornments. This mask is hand-carved from a single piece of wood, with the face protruding outward before the massive headdress. The visage is stylized with a jutting, angular nose, small protruding lips, and drilled eyes under the brow. Two protruding ears are perforated and contain pink thread pompoms and blue and yellow beads strung with cowrie shells. Surmounted on top is a rod with a smaller head with similar facial features. A large seven-pronged headdress rises from the back. The surface of the wood is covered with thin panels of tin embossed with dotted motifs, and each panel is nailed in place. The panels are cut to create triangular shapes across the mask. Learn more about the Ntomo society that used comb-like headdresses like this example in the extended description below. Size: 8.5" W x 27" H (21.6 cm x 68.6 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 comb-like 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 7 on this mask indicates androgynous.

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities

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#162654

Losses and chips to lips and ears. Stable fissures. Nicks and chips to high pointed areas. Discoloration and fraying to pompoms. Nice patina to wood and metal areas.