Mask "kpelié"
Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo
not available anymore
Provenance
Emil Storrer, Zurich, Switzerland (1970s)Size
H: 28 cm
H: 11.0 inch
Description
wood, dark brown patina, remains of indigo blue pigment, typical ornamental projections aside and next to the chin, surmounted by a small zoomorphic figure, pierced around the rim, min. dam., small missing parts (back), slight traces of abrasion;
the name “kpelié” is derived from the Senufo word for “jumping” and literally means “face of the jumper”. The mask belongs to the carver society “kulibèlè” and is called “woman of the old carver” in her most common female form. She appears at funerals and for entertainment. Primarily she is worn by adolescents, who are not yet initiated. “Kpelié” is regularly danced at the end of february when the hot season starts and the fruits of the kappok tree dehisce.