Mask "kanaga" · Mali, Dogon · ID: 3032978
Toni Dähler, Basel, Switzerland
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Dr. Eduard Hess, Oberwil, Switzerland
Description
wood, black encrusted patina in some areas, min. red paint, framed by a collar of red dyed fibre tufts, intact hanging of fibre plait, superstructure in shape of a double cross, slightly dam., traces of insect caused damage (nose- and forehead ridge), cracks, waterspots;
the “kanaga” mask can be interpreted in different ways: crocodile, creator genius, but also “bird in flight”. According to the latter interpretation it represents the bird “kommolo tebu” with spread wings and black and white plumage, when after its shooting the hunter carved the first “kanaga”.
The object Mask “kanaga” with the object ID 3032978 was part of the auction 69th tribal art auction on June 2, 2012. The object with the lot number 274 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,200 with an asking price of EUR 2,000.
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.