Early 20th Century Bamana Kore Society Carved Wood Mask from Mali, Africa

Item Details

An early 20th century Bamana Kore Society carved wood mask from West Africa. This piece presents an inverted teardrop shaped face with simplified abstract features including arched brows and an elongated nose. It features lightly carved patterns with a crest on the forehead. Holes are drilled in the crest and around the edge of the face. The mask is wired to hang and there are no apparent maker’s marks.

Carved in secret from a single piece of wood, the mask would have been worn by an adult male during the initiation process of a young man into adult status. The masks are worn by the most senior of men representing their personal struggle to achieve knowledge and wisdom.

Condition

- crack to left ear; minor scratches, chips and abrasion throughout; surface cracks; split to wood toward upper edge to the verso.

Dimensions

Item #

18DCC143-918