Crocodile mask ·  Burkina Faso, Nuna · ID: 3039009

Description

wood, polychrome paint, the whole body carved with triangular ornaments, rep. (breakage right hind leg, tail), missing parts (back), traces of insect caused damage and abrasion;
the Nuna consider crocodiles as guardians of standpipes. They also play an important role within the worship of the ancestors. Wearing this mask demanded strength and skill because it was not allowed to knock the mask against something although strong movements of the head were performed.

The object Crocodile mask with the object ID 3039009 was last part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction at June 27, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 245 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,750.

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

Förster, Till, Skulptur in Westafrika, Freiburg im Breisgau 1995, p. 67