Information
Wood painted in black and white
H 21 cm
Mask with a moveable jaw.
Place of collection: district of Bonny, eastern end of the river delta.
A mask used during allegorical dances painted with a mixture of whitish varnish and black adornments. A straight nose divides the slits of the eyes cut in a pointed arch. Its mouth, with large lips, is divided into two parts, which makes the jaw disjointed and moveable. A cord made of rafia fabric still holds the two parts together.The chin and temples are marked with the clan’s characteristic symbols. The elaborate, black hairstyle is divided into small locks, marked by incisions made in parallel lines. The central, larger one can be distinguished by a series of dots painted on in white.
H 21 cm
Mask with a moveable jaw.
Place of collection: district of Bonny, eastern end of the river delta.
A mask used during allegorical dances painted with a mixture of whitish varnish and black adornments. A straight nose divides the slits of the eyes cut in a pointed arch. Its mouth, with large lips, is divided into two parts, which makes the jaw disjointed and moveable. A cord made of rafia fabric still holds the two parts together.The chin and temples are marked with the clan’s characteristic symbols. The elaborate, black hairstyle is divided into small locks, marked by incisions made in parallel lines. The central, larger one can be distinguished by a series of dots painted on in white.
Provenance
- Former Serge Brignoni collection (Chiasso 1903 - Bern 2002) see lot 43;
- Former private collection (Lugano);
- Former private collection (Lugano);
Exhibition
- Lugano 2002, Palazzo Riva, Banca Svizzera Italiana (BSI);
Literature
Reproduced in:
- VENTURI LUCA M. “Anime antiche, arte negra, da una raccolta di sculture dell’Africa occidentale” BSI Bank, Lugano 2002, fig. 74c;
- VENTURI LUCA M. “Anime antiche, arte negra, da una raccolta di sculture dell’Africa occidentale” BSI Bank, Lugano 2002, fig. 74c;
Contact
Condition report
To request a Condition Report, please contact arteafricana@finarte.it
The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers.
We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.