Ape mask · Mali, Dogon · ID: 3034983
American Private Collection, Los Angeles
Description
wood, strongly encrusted blackish brown patina, vaulted base, the actual mask face superimposed, pierced see holes and funnel-shaped ears accentuated by light red and white pigment, old collection label on the inside “1158”, slightly dam. (ears), cracks (partly spread with mass), missing parts backside at the rim: the first row of drilled holes for fixing the mask broken out, supplemented by a second row (sign for long usage), metal socle;
while the sculptures are carved by the blacksmiths, the masks are carved by young men of the “awa” society. All masks belong to the “awa” society and appear during the so-called “dama” burial ceremonies, which take place every two or three years in honour of the deceased. They depict animals, objects or humans and are made of plant fibres, fabric or wood.
Comparing literature
Laude, Jean, African Art of the Dogon, New York 1973, ill. 94