Mossi, Burkina Faso: A very old mask, with crests in the form of a bird and a ‘biga’ fertility doll.
Mossi, Burkina Faso: A very old mask, with crests in the form of a bird and a ‘biga’ fertility doll.
The Mossi live in northern and central Burkina Faso. They have a large reservoir of masks. The present Mossi mask is carved out of light-coloured, lightweight wood and was originally coloured in brownish-black and probably also white. The face part of the mask is covered with a typical triangle relief pattern. On its forehead sits the head of a ‘holy’ hornbill, at the back three of his tail feathers stand upright. In between stands one of the well-known fertility dolls of the Mossi, known as a ‘biga’. Decorated with fabric and three sewn on cowrie shells, as well as with red jequirity beans (seed capsules), pressed in tree resin. A visibly very old mask, with noticeable, encrusted traces of frequent ritual offerings. With remains of chicken feathers on the bird head and on the Mossi ‘biga’ doll. On the inside the mask displays a convincing, shiny usage patina on the right places. An early original repair to the bird beak (wrapped and glued). Exposed edges are chipped due to age. H: 72 cm; W: 32 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: German Private Collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
02.11.2015 - 14:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 1,500.-
Mossi, Burkina Faso: A very old mask, with crests in the form of a bird and a ‘biga’ fertility doll.
The Mossi live in northern and central Burkina Faso. They have a large reservoir of masks. The present Mossi mask is carved out of light-coloured, lightweight wood and was originally coloured in brownish-black and probably also white. The face part of the mask is covered with a typical triangle relief pattern. On its forehead sits the head of a ‘holy’ hornbill, at the back three of his tail feathers stand upright. In between stands one of the well-known fertility dolls of the Mossi, known as a ‘biga’. Decorated with fabric and three sewn on cowrie shells, as well as with red jequirity beans (seed capsules), pressed in tree resin. A visibly very old mask, with noticeable, encrusted traces of frequent ritual offerings. With remains of chicken feathers on the bird head and on the Mossi ‘biga’ doll. On the inside the mask displays a convincing, shiny usage patina on the right places. An early original repair to the bird beak (wrapped and glued). Exposed edges are chipped due to age. H: 72 cm; W: 32 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: German Private Collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
|
Buyers hotline
Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 02.11.2015 - 14:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 28.10. - 02.11.2015 |