Zoomorphic mask "wan nyaka" · Burkina Faso, Mossi · ID: 3036890
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, vaulted calotte with raised forehead ridge, surmounted by long horns, ornamentally painted, pierced around the rim, min. dam., fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
the masks of the Bobo have totemistic character, they are part of the genesis myths of the clan they belong to. “Wan nyaka” means “little antelope” and appeared at funerals and circumcision festivities.
The object Zoomorphic mask “wan nyaka” with the object ID 3036890 was last part of the auction 77th tribal art auction at June 28, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 179.
You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Comparing literature
Roy, Christopher, Art of the Upper Volta Rivers, Paris 1987, p. 106, ill. 72