West Africa, Mali, Dogon, ca. 1920s CE. A gorgeous hand-carved wooden mask depicting the visage of an antelope (known as a "walu" in Dogon) embellished with black and cream paints. The rectangular mask presents with vertical eye channels and square eye holes, a petite full-lipped mouth, thin ears projecting upwards along the periphery, and a huge pair of gently curved horns, each incised with a spiraling design. Walu masks like this example are used by Dogon elders in the "dama," a commemorative ceremony for important elders in the community. Dozens of zoomorphic masks are paraded and danced by other members of the community as a symbolic means of protecting the honored elder from the negative effects of dark magic and death. A wondrous example from the Dogon! Size: 10.5" W x 21.5" H (26.7 cm x 54.6 cm)

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection, purchased from dealers, beginning in the late 1980s to as recently as 2017

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.

#162802

Wire tied to back for suspension/display. Expected surface wear with nicks/chips and abrasions in areas. Otherwise, excellent with nice earthen deposits and impressive remains of pigment.