Zoomorphic mask (hornbill) ·  Burkina Faso, Gurunsi · ID: 3040179

Description

wood, encrusted dark patina, sacrificial traces (feathers etc.), min. dam., small missing parts through insect caused damage, fine cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
masks that are used every year in public performances are repainted annually. Only the oldest masks, that never appear in public but are hidden away in the houses of people, acquire this dark patina. This is an example for a very old mask that was retired from performing and became to an altar or shrine object on which sacrifices were offered to the spirits.

The object Zoomorphic mask (hornbill) with the object ID 3040179 was last part of the auction 82nd Tribal Art Auction at February 27, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 285 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,000.

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Comparing literature

Roy, Christopher D., Land of the flying masks, München 2007, ill. 69