Mask "kanaga" · Mali, Dogon · ID: 3035432
sold
EUR 1,600
Provenance
René David, Zurich, Switzerland (1968)Swiss Private Collection
Size
H: 92 cm
H: 36.2 inch
Description
light wood, polychrome paint, superstructure in form of a double cross with two small seated figures on top, plant fibre bonnet, min. dam., small missing parts through insect caused damage (back), traces of abrasion;
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”.
Comparing literature
Homberger, Lorenz (Hg.), Die Kunst der Dogon, Zürich 1995, p. 124