This is the rating and price for Ceremonial Mask Used For Kore Initiation Rites

Description : West Africa, Mali, Bandiagara region, Bamana people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a fantastic ceremonial mask used for Kore initiation rites, hand-carved from dark wood in the form of an abstract hyena known as a suruku (hyena). The visage is comprised of a bulging forehead and protruding brow ridge just above the elongated, wedge-shaped nose. The sunken eye sockets are pierced for the wearer to see through, and an opening is carved for the mouth. The pair of horn-like projections are tall ears, the verso is carved out to wear, and the peripheries of both sides are pierced for suspension. The hyena is both a hunter and scavenger, and these masks maintain the secrecy of the rituals by frightening away the uninitiated. Size: 12.75 L x 5.25 W (32.4 cm x 13.3 cm), 16.25 H (41.3 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. Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection 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. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm. Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #167981
Price: 522.00 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 800 USD-1200 USD It's free to register now to view!

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