Zemanek-Münster

Face mask "wan-zega" ·  Burkina Faso, Mossi, Region Boulsa · ID: 3051620

not available anymore
Provenance
Alain Dufour, Saint Maur, France
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, Germany, 27 May 2017, Vol. II, lot 223
Size
H: 63 cm
H: 24.8 inch

Description

wood, pigments, base

Mossi in the far eastern area near Boulsa and Zeguedeguin use sets of three masks: a male, the “wan-zega” or red mask, a female, the “wan-sablaga” or black mask and the protective dwarf spirit mask, “yali”.

“Wan-zega” behaves aggressively, chasing spectators and using whips liberally to keep crowds back from the performance area. “Wan-zega” appears at funeral ceremonies.


The object Face mask “wan-zega” with the object ID 3051620 was last part of the auction Collectors’ Items Sale at September 24, 2025 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 118.

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.


Expertise

Certificat d' Authenticité, Alain Dufour, Saint Maur, 12 January 2002


Comparing literature

Roy, Christopher D., Land of the flying masks, München 2007, p. 405, ill. 114


Publications

AHDRC: 0139724


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