Masque, Bobo, Burkina Faso

Loudmer-Poulain, Drouot Rive Gauche, Paris, 21 juin 1976, lot 214
Johann Levy, Paris
Collection Thomas G.B. Wheelock, New York

Publication:
Roy & Wheelock, Land of Flying Masks, 2007, n° 170

Good condition overall; wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Some wear and losses to the bottom of the mask, as visible in the catalogue illustration. Some small cracks and losses. Beautiful polychrome surface with areas of encrustation and red, black, and white pigments.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Utilisés dans les cultes kwele dwo, dwosa et sibe dwo, les masques molo sont, avec les nwenke, les plus anciens et les plus sacrés des masques de forgerons Bobo. Sculpté dans le bois sacré d'Afzelia africana, cet impressionnant masque molo féminin - l'un des plus beaux du type - relève, selon la classification de Le Moal (1999 : 149-152), du style septentrional de Taguna. L'ampleur de la face rectangulaire est magnifiée par la rigueur de la construction - traits concentrés selon une ligne médiane s'étirant jusqu'à l'excroissance figurant le nombril (Roy, 1987 : 332) – et des motifs géométriques envahissant le visage, en aplats alternés d'ocre rouge, de noir et de kaolin.

Bobo molo mask, Burkina Faso

Used in the kwele dwo, dwosa, and sibe dwos cults, molo and nwenke masks are the oldest and most sacred works created by Bobo blacksmiths.  Carved from sacred Afzelia Africana wood, this impressive female molo mask is one of the finest examples of its type. According to Le Moal's system of classification (1999: 149-152) this mask is in the northern Taguna style. The scale of the rectangular face is enhanced by the rigour of the composition, which concentrates the features around a central line that reaches from the head-crest down to the projecting navel (Roy, 1987: 332). The mask's imposing presence is further highlighted by the register of geometric motifs in kaolin, ochre, and black pigments.