A blacksmith mask, Bobo/Bwa, region Bobodioulasso, village Houndé, Burkina Faso, of hollowed oval form, with a very large axe blade arising from the head, a pointed ornament beneath a protruding mouth, an elongated narrow nose, circles for eyes, bordered all around, featuring oval projections on the forehead, large flat ears projecting outwardly from the face, the entire mask is carved in low relief with geometric motifs, pierced through at the rim for attachment; an age patina with red, white and black pigments, traces of ritual use, incl. stand.

"This mask represents the hombo spirit that watches over and protects blacksmiths."

Lit.: Christopher D. Roy/Thomas G.B. Wheelock: Land of the Flying Masks. Art and Culture in Burkina Faso. The Thomas G. B. Wheelock Collection, Prestel 2007, p. 409.

sold

Height: 49 cm
Weight: 1,4 kg