Anthropomorphic helmet mask "bolo" ·  Burkina Faso, Bobo · ID: 3047878

Description

wood, red and white pigment, cotton fibre, rest., base

Apart from the characteristic crest, this “bolo” mask shows an unusually high superstructure with various animal representations (chameleon, toucan).

“Bolo” type masks serve as popular entertainment masks at performances that are open to the public such as funerals, initiations, harvest festivals and other celebrations. They were made and worn by blacksmiths.

The object Anthropomorphic helmet mask “bolo” with the object ID 3047878 was last part of the auction 96th Auction at April 24, 2021 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 165 achieved a sales price of EUR 4,000.

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.