Bamana komo mask, Mali - Lot 20

Lot n° 20
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Estimation :
1000 - 1300 EUR
Bamana komo mask, Mali - Lot 20
Bamana komo mask, Mali Wood, horns, composite materials Height: 73 cm The mask features a stylized animal head surmounted by two long two long, erect horns, evoking powerful forces. The elongated snout structure, with protruding teeth, is bristling with ritual nails ritual nails and a raised tip. The thick, crusty surface is the result of accumulation of ritual materials (nyama) - mixtures of earth, sacrificial blood and other substances - applied during ceremonies. These deposits testify to the mask's prolonged use and activation as part of Komo rituals. The ringed horns symbolize strength controlled aggressiveness and the ability to penetrate the invisible world. The mask's appearance reinforces the idea of an object invested with a dreaded spiritual energy. This type of mask was not intended for mere aesthetic aesthetic function: it was first and foremost an instrument of mediation between initiates and spiritual forces, used in rituals to protect the village, sanction the village, punish transgressions or restore cosmic balance.
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