Zoomorphic mask "kono" · Mali, Bamana · ID: 3032636
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland
Description
wood, thick encrusted greyish brown sacrificial patina, elongated snout, a package filled with magical mass attached to the forehead by plaited plant fibres, tapering ears, min. dam., traces of abrasion, minor missing parts, rep. (part of the lower jaw replaced);
six Bamana men’s associations hold masking ceremonies that reflect each group’s particular function in the community. Large encrusted masks of the “kono” association are used in ceremonies held to keep civic morality.
The object Zoomorphic mask “kono” with the object ID 3032636 was last part of the auction 69th tribal art auction at June 2, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 162 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,500.
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Comparing literature
Colleyn, Jean Paul (Hg.), Bamana, Zürich 2001, p. 187