Mask "banda" ·  Guinée, Nalu · ID: 3035698

Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome painted, of narrow, elongated form with a pointed snout-like mouth, revealing two rows of teeth, rep. (breakage forehead), small missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
the mask type combines human and animal features: the long snout with tapering teeth reminds of a crocodile. The head ornament unifies female hairstyle with horns and ears of an antelope, a chameleons tail and the twining body of a snake. Corresponding to its outward attributes, certain abilities and characteristics were ascribed to the mask type. It was looked upon as being insidious like a crocodile and when appearing it created the outward impression of being able to fly, crawl and swim at the same time.
The “banda” mask figure belonged to the men society “simo” and was looked upon as an outmost hazardous being, which appeared in times of danger in order to protect the people. Furtheron it was danced at harvest festivities, weddings, initiation rites and funerals of important people. They are hardly danced nowadays and if so just for entertainment. The mask was worn horizontal on top of the head and was completed by an elaborate costume of plant fibre which nearly covered the whole body of the dancer.

L’objet Mask “banda” avec l’ID d’objet 3035698 a fait partie de la vente aux enchères 75th tribal art auction dans 30 novembre 2013. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 225 a atteint un prix de vente de 8 500 € pour un prix d’adjudication de 4 500 €.

Vous trouverez d’autres Masques et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.

Littérature comparée

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 25