Masque zoomorphe "kono" ·  Mali, Bamana · ID: 3050998

Description

wood,

“Kono” is a dangerous, omnipotent force that resolves conflicts, keeps social order and must be placated through ritual and performance.

“Kono” masks are commonly polymorphous and merge the features of different powerful spirits or forces of nature. This mask depicts a mythical beast, a composite creature loosely based on both elephant and crocodile.

The thickly encrusted sacrificial patina of burnt plants and magical substances testifies to the great spiritual power with which masks of this type are endowed.