This is the rating and price for Bamana Wood Suruku Initiation Mask

Description : West Africa, Mali, Bamana peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A fabulous example of a hand-carved initiation face mask in the form of an abstract hyena known as a suruku (hyena). The narrow head presents with a prominent aquiline nose, openwork eye holes, protruding jaws separated with a small dowel, a bulging forehead with a central vertical groove, tall ears, and a pair of horn-like projections. Incised striations create enclosed lattice-pattern motifs across the jowls and brow, and the verso is carved out for wear. Dark-brown pigment adorns the exterior of the mask. Size: 7.625 W x 19.75 H (19.4 cm x 50.2 cm), 24.8 H (63 cm) on included custom stand. According to the National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian Institute, To become an adult in Bamana society, males must be initiated into the Kore society. Initiation involves symbolic death and rebirth, a test of courage and the chance to acquire adult knowledge. Initiates are divided into groups, identified as hyenas, lions, and monkeys. Each group is distinguished by a carved wooden mask that focuses and holds spiritual energy and receives sacrifices. Initiates wear the mask in performances at the end of initiation. ( For a stylistically-similar example with shorter jaws, please see the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute, object number 68.13.7: Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, ex-Fernandez Leventhal Gallery, New York, USA and Paris, France All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #147723
Price: 1 120.50 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 1800 USD-2500 USD It's free to register now to view!

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