This is the rating and price for Early 20Th C. African Bamana Wood & Cowrie Ntomo Mask

Description : Western Africa, Mali, Bamako region, Bamana people, ca. early 20th century CE. A wonderful Ntomo Society mask carved from hardwood that presents an expressive visage complete with rectangular eyes and mouth. The ovoid face is densely adorned with mud set with rows of cowrie snail shells that radiate out from the brow and envelop the nose and upper head. Seven columnar horns project from behind the guise and bear remains of the original cowrie shell placements, and petite red abrus seeds accentuate the white-and-brown presentation. Ntomo masks like this example - with seven horns - are representative of the childhood androgyny that a male initiate leaves behind after the final initiation task of circumcision. Size: 5 W x 19.25 H (12.7 cm x 48.9 cm) For another example of a Ntomo mask covered in cowrie snail shells, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1978.412.368. 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. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #155552
Price: 1 120.50 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 2400 USD-3600 USD It's free to register now to view!

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