Anthropomorphic comb mask "konden" or "ntomo" ·  Mali / Guinea, Malinke / Bamana / Marka · ID: 3048152

Description

wood, silver sheet, collection label “74503”

The function of “konden” is not clearly resolved.

In Goldwater (1960, p. 60, ill. 105) a mask of the same type is described as an initiation mask for boys.

Elsewhere it is described as embodying something like the “bogeyman”. “Konden” has a reputation for the finest dance movements, but also of being quick to strike out with his riping crop to punish naughty children.

A clear ethnic classification of “konden” is also difficult. Mostly they are attributed to the Malinke or Bamana. Goldwater placed them among the Marka. Nowadays they are mainly found in Upper Guinea, in the Siguiri prefecture.

The object Anthropomorphic comb mask “konden” or “ntomo” with the object ID 3048152 was last part of the auction 97th Auction at November 6, 2021 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 146 achieved a sales price of EUR 800.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Goldwater, Robert, Bambara sculpture from the Western Sudan, New York 1960, p. 60, ill. 105 AHDRC 0180025