This is the rating and price for Mossi Bird Mask Karan, second half 20th cen

Description : Additional Information: A large Mossi mask with an abstract face surmounted by three plank superstructures painted in white a red and a stylized bird head in the center. This could be a representation of a Guinea Fowl. This mask belongs to the category of Karan mask . Very few masks of this style are known (See Christopher D. Roy &, Thomas G.B. Wheelock. 2007. Land of the Flying Masks, fig. 116, text., p. 405) ,The Mossi are today the largest single group living in Burkina Faso. They originated from horsemen who made their way north from present day Ghana during the 1500’s. The Mossi are renowned for their masquerades and the use of large, superbly sculpted and brightly painted masks and colorful costumes. Mossi elders are highly honored with elaborate funerals and the appearance of masked dancers with masks representing ancestors and various spirits and forces of Nature in dramatic and often vigorous dances.In the southwest region of Burkina Faso, numerous smaller groups of farming peoples have often been identified collectively as the Gurunsi. Included within this larger collective are the Nuna, Nunuma and Lela among others sharing certain common elements of culture and language. This is especially seen in their masks that are often difficult to tell apart as they share style and symbolism.Among the Mossi, most of the masks with superstructures are known as Karanga masks among the Mossi. Our mask may represent a bird. The most popular is the guinea fowl recognized here by its beak. These animal masks are all representations of the totem animals for specific clans. In a clan village, the killing of an animal identified with the clan is the same as killing a person. Burkina Faso is a land of masks, with figures scarce across all groups.Finely decorated  ,masks such as this rarely come on the market and would be of good addition to any collection.See a similar piece in Warren M. Robbins &, Nancy Ingram Nooter. African Art In American Collections. A schiffer Book.  ,2004, fig. 111, see also Christopher D. Roy &, Thomas G.B. Wheelock,2007, fig. 116 Recommended Reading: Christopher Roy' The Art of the Upper Volta Rivers, 1987Christopher Roy, 2002, The Art of Burkina Faso, University of Iowa.Christopher D. Roy &, Thomas G.B. Wheelock,2007, LAND OF THE FLYING MASKS ART AND CULTURE IN BURKINA FASO. THE THOMAS G.B. WHEELOCK COLLECTION, Prestel, fig. 55I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.
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Estimate (low-high) : 650 USD-750 USD It's free to register now to view!

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