Monkey mask ·  Burkina Faso, Nuna · ID: 3032789

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, encrusted with clay, striking big mouth with small remains of two rows of teeth, linear scarification marks, dam., traces of old age and weathering, insect caused damage, on metal base;
monkey masks are often the lead masks in Nuna dance groups. As lead masks, the responsibility for conducting blood sacrifices may fall to them. The emphasis on the mouth and teeth yields a ferocity, which is further enhanced by its attribute, a bludgeon, with which some sacrifices are said to be executed.

The object Monkey mask with the object ID 3032789 was last part of the auction 69th tribal art auction at June 2, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 285.

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Comparing literature

Roy, Christopher D., Land of the flying masks, München 2007, ill. 49