Description:

West Africa, Mali, Bozo peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A fine hand-carved wooden helmet mask depicting a bush animal spirit, perhaps a hyena, of an elongated ovoid form. The mask bears a pair of tapering ears attached to the sides with tufts of grass fibers near the lobes, and the fang-filled mouth is further decorated with additional grass fibers along the chin and closed with a modern rubber strap. Ovoid eyes rest beneath lightly-curved brows with a lengthy nose in-between, and traces of pink, red, and black painted decorations are visible across the face and ears. Size: 6.25" W x 27" H (15.9 cm x 68.6 cm).

Provenance: Mark Clayton collection, Long Beach, California, USA; Mr. Clayton is a noted African expert and collector who recently had Nigerian bronze objects from his collection featured in an exhibition at the UCLA Fowler Museum entitled "Summoning the Ancestors" (September 2018 - March 2019).

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#145772

  • Condition: Minor nicks and abrasions to jaw, ears, brow, face, and verso, with fading to original pigmentation, light insect damage, and a few stable hairline fissures. Light earthen deposits and nice traces of original pigmentation throughout.

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May 9, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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