Zoomorphic plank mask "nwantantay" ·  Burkina Faso, Bwa · ID: 3034247

Description

wood, slightly encrusted patina, polychrome paint, sacrificial traces, circular facial plane with concentrical eyes and hook-shaped protruding, surmounted by a rectangular board-shaped superstructure crowned by a sickle-shaped element, rep. (nose), min. dam., cracks, slight traces of abrasion, metal socle;
plank masks are the major artistic expression of the southern Bwa. They are signbords or tablets on which the graphic patterns communicate the ethical and moral values of the community. These are religious laws that the people of the community must observe if they are to receive the blessings of God. The black and white checkerboard at the back of this mask represents the value of lifelong learning.

The object Zoomorphic plank mask “nwantantay” with the object ID 3034247 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 269 achieved a sales price of EUR 4,500.

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Comparing literature

Roy, Christopher D., Land of the flying masks, München 2007, ill. 140