Senufo mask, Mali - Lot 18

Lot n° 18
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Estimation :
700 - 1000 EUR
Senufo mask, Mali - Lot 18
Senufo mask, Mali Wood Height: 47 cm Provenance: French private collection Zoomorphic crest mask with hybrid features. The composition is organized on a horizontal plane, with a jaws cut open to reveal rows of teeth. The muzzle is pierced by nostrils, the eyes are treated as cabochons and small tubular ears punctuate the whole. The sobriety of the forms and the antique patina give this mask a singular presence. These "animal" mask-healms, with their strongly toothed jaws, do not generally evoke a particular animal, but rather the vital power of a mysterious animal, thus arousing attention and suspicion. This ancient mask-heaume comes from Mali, from Folona in the Sénoufo region bordering Côte d'Ivoire. Poro there has long since been abandoned. Old objects have been preserved, but it's difficult to know what they were originally used for. However, there are still a few animal masks with powerful jaws used in villages still practicing Poro, which can be likened to Wabèlé masks (singular Waᴐ̀) used in the private initiation institution of the Nifáanbelé (Nafaanra↔Nafanra sub-group) or even in the community initiation institution of Poro by a larger number of Sénoufo groups. The mask is then called Wa Nyungò (Wa = Waᴐ̀; Nyungò = Head). Their supernatural powers make them fearsome. They take part in funerals and certain masked festive masked festive ceremonies publicly celebrating Poro phases. Some masks cannot be seen by women. The holes at the bottom of the muzzle suggest that feathers or other elements (porcupine thorns, etc.) may have been inserted, signifying its magical power. Without base.
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