Information
Bright dark patina wood, period cracks, metal tacks
H 83 cm
Yoke mask.
Region on the Atlantic Coast.
This represents the goddess of fertility (Nimba), the protector of pregnant women and the goddess invoked by those who are infertile. It emerges in procession during organised rituals to obtain good fortune for the fields when harvesting rice and grain, through its evocative force. The face seems to be a fantastical interpretation of the mother goddess’ female face, while the hooked nose represents the male symbol.Also called a shoulder mask, this model seems to be unique, a stylistic invention that does not appear in the artistic production of many African groups.This one in particular was sculpted following uncharacteristic designs for the classical Baga tradition. Indeed, the various parts of the head and body have curved profiles which are usually sharp edges in the most common traditional works. Here, the weight and measurements are made for a man. The face is constructed on staggered levels and the hooked nose hangs over the extended, pointed chin. Its lacks eyes and a mouth, the ears protrude in a shape that resembles the letter ‘C’, and it has hanging ring earrings. The hairstyle is formed of a large lock that joins up on the skull’s curve.The whole head is decorated with a series of incisions in geometric shapes, and the face is adorned with European-made iron tacks. The large, drooping bosom evokes the image of an African woman who has been breastfeeding for a long time because she has had the gift of fertility. There are wide fractures in the wood and signs of prolonged use, which undeniably demonstrates how old this model is.
The Baga people are a small group of almost 50,000 individuals located along the Atlantic coast. Divided into various subgroups, they live in Guinea-Bissau, Guinea (Conakry), Sierra Leone and Liberia, all marine regions where it is difficult to moor. These four-legged Baga sculptures were worn as a yoke mask. The wearer would enter and, with his body, would hold up its weight, using his hands to help himself hold onto the stocks inserted into the holes in the legs. It can sometimes reach the height of 125cm and could weigh up to 60kg. So that the wearer could see, there are several slits in the middle of the breasts. A long cloak made of cloth and rafia fabric, tied behind his neck, covered the whole sculpture to hide the wearer. Those present at the ceremony ought only to see the head and bosom.The sculpture is divided into two distinct parts: the enormous head and the four-legged body, with the thick cylindrical neck uniting the two parts. These works’ aesthetic quality is remarkable. In this tradition, which established itself in the mid-nineteenth century, the protruding head becomes enormous, as do the bosom and ears. A long double-crested hairstyle resumes at the skull’s curve. The whole body is marked with incisions in geometric patterns, shown by the presence of European-made iron tacks.
H 83 cm
Yoke mask.
Region on the Atlantic Coast.
This represents the goddess of fertility (Nimba), the protector of pregnant women and the goddess invoked by those who are infertile. It emerges in procession during organised rituals to obtain good fortune for the fields when harvesting rice and grain, through its evocative force. The face seems to be a fantastical interpretation of the mother goddess’ female face, while the hooked nose represents the male symbol.Also called a shoulder mask, this model seems to be unique, a stylistic invention that does not appear in the artistic production of many African groups.This one in particular was sculpted following uncharacteristic designs for the classical Baga tradition. Indeed, the various parts of the head and body have curved profiles which are usually sharp edges in the most common traditional works. Here, the weight and measurements are made for a man. The face is constructed on staggered levels and the hooked nose hangs over the extended, pointed chin. Its lacks eyes and a mouth, the ears protrude in a shape that resembles the letter ‘C’, and it has hanging ring earrings. The hairstyle is formed of a large lock that joins up on the skull’s curve.The whole head is decorated with a series of incisions in geometric shapes, and the face is adorned with European-made iron tacks. The large, drooping bosom evokes the image of an African woman who has been breastfeeding for a long time because she has had the gift of fertility. There are wide fractures in the wood and signs of prolonged use, which undeniably demonstrates how old this model is.
Provenance
- Ralph Nash (*) antique collection acquired at Berkeley Gallery in London in the ‘40s;
- Helmut Gernsheim antique collection (Castagnola in Lugano);
- Former Paolo Morigi collection (Lugano) (Morigi inventory label num. 571);
- Former private collection (Lugano);
- Helmut Gernsheim antique collection (Castagnola in Lugano);
- Former Paolo Morigi collection (Lugano) (Morigi inventory label num. 571);
- Former private collection (Lugano);
Literature
Reproduced in:
- VENTURI LUCA M. “Anime antiche, arte negra, da una raccolta di sculture dell’Africa occidentale” BSI Bank, Lugano 2002, fig. 77;
- LAMP FREDERICK “Art of the Baga” The Museum for African Art, New York 1996;
- BERLINER DAVID “Mémoires religieuses Baga” Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva 2013;
- CHRISTIE’S “Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie” Paris, asta del 22 novembre 2017, lotto 39;
(*) Ralph Nash. Born in Germany in 1928, Nash was a famous designer and stylist who established himself by makinghigh fashion female footwear. Still young, he opened a company in South Africa and frequently travelled to Europe and New York in the USA. In 1961, he moved to London and also pursued hisinterest for African art. He traded with the best-known European and American art dealers, in particular, and bought African works from the famous gallery owner John Klejman (1906-1995), Madison Avenue, New York. In 1924, he purchased a Dan mask from gallery owner Paul GuiIlaume (1891-1934) which, on 22nd November 2017, Christie’s put up for auction in Paris for 400,000 / 600,000 euros (lot 39).- VENTURI LUCA M. “Anime antiche, arte negra, da una raccolta di sculture dell’Africa occidentale” BSI Bank, Lugano 2002, fig. 77;
- LAMP FREDERICK “Art of the Baga” The Museum for African Art, New York 1996;
- BERLINER DAVID “Mémoires religieuses Baga” Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva 2013;
- CHRISTIE’S “Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie” Paris, asta del 22 novembre 2017, lotto 39;
The Baga people are a small group of almost 50,000 individuals located along the Atlantic coast. Divided into various subgroups, they live in Guinea-Bissau, Guinea (Conakry), Sierra Leone and Liberia, all marine regions where it is difficult to moor. These four-legged Baga sculptures were worn as a yoke mask. The wearer would enter and, with his body, would hold up its weight, using his hands to help himself hold onto the stocks inserted into the holes in the legs. It can sometimes reach the height of 125cm and could weigh up to 60kg. So that the wearer could see, there are several slits in the middle of the breasts. A long cloak made of cloth and rafia fabric, tied behind his neck, covered the whole sculpture to hide the wearer. Those present at the ceremony ought only to see the head and bosom.The sculpture is divided into two distinct parts: the enormous head and the four-legged body, with the thick cylindrical neck uniting the two parts. These works’ aesthetic quality is remarkable. In this tradition, which established itself in the mid-nineteenth century, the protruding head becomes enormous, as do the bosom and ears. A long double-crested hairstyle resumes at the skull’s curve. The whole body is marked with incisions in geometric patterns, shown by the presence of European-made iron tacks.
Condition report
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We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.