- 50
Masque, Bamana, Mali
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 EUR
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Description
- Bamana
- Masque
- Wood
- haut. 108 cm
- 42 1/2 in
Provenance
Collection Falk, Schweiz
Collection Ernst Beyeler, Bâle
Collection Udo et Wally Horstmann, Zug
Collection privée
Collection Ernst Beyeler, Bâle
Collection Udo et Wally Horstmann, Zug
Collection privée
Exhibited
Bâle, Galerie Beyeler, Negerplastik, février 1958
Literature
Beyeler, Negerplastik, 1958, n.p., n° 30
Condition
Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Old and tiny losses to the exceptional fine thick and encrusted black patina. Consistent loss to the upper part of the rim to the rear. Wear with loss of material to the end of the inside bottom of the mask. Original rough sculpture to the rear where the mask was worn. With a "Galerie Beyeler, 1960" label and number 30 hand written.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Dans son esthétique vouée à l'expression de la force, le masque du Kono puise sa fascinante singularité. Désignant à la fois une puissance religieuse et le culte qui lui est rendu dans le cadre de sa société d'initiation, "le Kono est un 'fauve qui avale' ; et les Bamana savent qu'il est parfaitement vain d'essayer de définir clairement une puissance dont la force est de revêtir des formes multiples, de se défigurer et de se refigurer sans cesse" (Colleyn, Bamana, 2009, p. 68).
Ici, la tension des lignes aboutit à une parfaite combinaison des traits de la hyène et de l'éléphant, traduisant le polymorphisme des puissantes divinités que les prêtres doivent influencer favorablement (idem). A la clarification du volume répond l'épaisse patine sacrificielle superbement conservée, faite de végétaux calcinés et de substances médicinales destinées à favoriser son pouvoir de clairvoyance, et dans laquelle le masque puise sa lente métamorphose.