Lot 2
  • 2

A Dogon mask

bidding is closed

Description

of highly abstract form comprised of a rectangular plank and pierced at both sides for attachment, the surface delineated by a sagittate nose framed by two large cut-out rectangular eyes beneath squared brows surmounted by a tall, narrow rectangular element, now fragmentary, with traces of black pigment; medium golden brown, weathered patina.

Provenance

Leonard Kahan, New York

Marc Ginzberg, New York

Alan Steele, New York

Catalogue Note

Cf. Laude (1973:89) for a related example of an early 18th century mask collected by Griaule in 1931. These ancient weathered masks, often of enormous height, are referred to as the 'Great Mask' or 'Mother of Masks' (ibid.). As Griaule notes, the distinguishing features of this mask are its great size, spare carving of the head, the length of the pillar and the sheer weight of the mask. These elements  precluded a participant from wearing the mask (Ndiaye 1995:55). It is believed that these large-scale masks were carved specifically for the Sigui festival which occurred every sixty years, after which they were stored in stone shelters with their forebearers and other important masks (Laude 1973:89). The weathered patinas and often fragmentary condition attests to their years of storage. See Ndiaye (1995:55, figure 33) for another closely related mask acquired during Griaule's third mission to Mali in 1935, attributed to the Sanga region, in the Colléction Museé de l'Homme, Paris.