Lot 141: A Bamana shrine object in the form of a mask

Bamana, Mali; L. 28"

Of massive form, the zoomorphic head approximating the form of a mask and composed of a thick encrustation over a wicker and wooden frame.

Comments:
Under the leadership of a blacksmith, the Komo religious association protects against sorcery and other malicious beings. Its mask depicts a mythical beast, a composite creature loosely based on both elephant and crocodile yet heavily encrusted with sacrificial materials. This example is made up of accumulated materials such as clay mixed with the blood of chicken or goats, chewed and expectorated kola nuts, alcoholic beverages and millet that are now dry but were once wet and glistening. Women and non-members were forbidden to observe it.

Provenance:
- Zollman Collection, IND
- Gelbard collection, NY

Publication History:
Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard collection of African Art (2003) Bourgeois & Rodolitz; Pg. 3, Fig. 7

Exhibition History:
Exhibition History: USA: "Remnants of Ritual, Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art":
- University Park, IL: Governors State University, February 2003
- Krannert, IL: Krannert Art Museum, 26 August-26 October, 2003
- Kansas City, MO: Belger Art Foundation/UNIVERSITY of Missouri-
Kansas City, 2004
- Park Forest, IL: Tall Grass Art Association, 2005

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