Mask "korobla"
Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo
sold
EUR 2,000
Provenance
Emil Storrer, Zurich, Switzerland (1948)René David, Zurich, Switzerland (1959)
Toni Dähler, Basel, Switzerland
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Size
L: 55 cm
L: 21.7 inch
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, composed of different animals: crocodile’s snout, tusks of a warthog, buffalo horns, crowned by a chameleon, dam., cracks, traces of insect caused damage and abrasion;
appearing at funeral services and above all by night when the witches use to roam the village to look for new victims. The “korobla” shall ambush them, because the Senufo belief her to be stronger than any witch. She is extraordinary fast and in former times she was known for her ability to spit “fire”. She utters long screams and as soon as she makes out a witch, she mightily chases her away.